First-ever Scouting Workshop kicks-off in Goa

Margao: All India Football Federation’s first-ever Scouting Workshop, a nationwide drive, kicked off in Goa on Sunday (July 12). The two-day workshop, a virgin concept as far as Indian football is concerned is being conducted by noted international Scout Derek Bragg, who has regularly been scouting for many national Federation, EPL and other Clubs from Elite Leagues in Europe since the last 20 years.

The 25 participants in the course include many former international players such as Mahesh Gawli, Climax Lawrence, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Samir Naik, Noel Wilson amongst others.

Head Coach of the Indian football team Stephen Constantine along with participants during the workshop. (Photo: AIFF)

Besides, Abhishek Yadav, currently Director of Scouting, AIFF, Lee Johnson, Head Coach India U-19 national team and national coach Stephen Constantine are also attending the workshop.

“The primary objective of this workshop is to identify talent in India. India is a vast country with 1.2 billion people. We need to create a team off the field,” Bragg stated.

“Once a coach (name withheld on purpose – someone who has coached at the highest level) approached me to scout for a wing back. The profile he needed was clear – they needed to be 6 feet able to defend balls at the posts. He needed to be strong,” Bragg informed.

Instructor Derek Bragg makes a point at the Scouting Workshop. (Photo: AIFF)

“So I need not look at players who would be of lesser height. My job was easier. So you are not there to be entertained and select on your own,” Bragg continued.

Understanding the reports need to be foolproof, Bragg insisted that “reports need to be balanced. You also need to put yourself in the coach’s seat when reading your reports and always insist on a feedback.”

Speaking from his own experience, Lee Johnson, attending the workshop as a participant warned that very often scouts picked Players as per their “own liking.”

“But such players may not fit into as per the philosophy of the club or the team,” he opined.

Complementing Johnson, Bragg stressed: “Never recommend players whom you like; recommend players who fit into the philosophy.”

“Philosophy is most important, not the system,” Constantine echoed. “I don’t have eyes everywhere for me to look at all the players who are playing all over in this vast Country. You all are my eyes,” he urged.

“Be prepared to brave the rain, snow, heat and other unpleasant conditions. Scouting is a never a glamorous job. You won’t ever be on front pages and prime time television. Scouts work behind the scenes. But they are the real people,” Bragg added.

Constantine even mentioned that he “starts taking notes right from the warm-up.” “Once I became a scout, I improved as a coach. You need to look and identify from the body language,” Bragg informed.

The workshop will consist of both theory and practical sessions.