Victory Coach Sobah Mohamed Ibrahim has declared that the ongoing AFC A License Coaching Course offered by Football Association of Maldives (FAM) stands to be the highest level of football education offered in the country thus far.
Victory Coach Sobah Mohamed Ibrahim has declared that the ongoing AFC A License Coaching Course offered by Football Association of Maldives (FAM) stands to be the highest level of football education offered in the country by far.
Sobah is currently engaged in the course which is led by Technical Director of FAM, Paul Thomas Smalley. A B License Coaching Course run by Smalley earlier observed a reduction in its course period, leading many to raise doubts on its standards and quality.
Sobah alleged that there are people attempting to question the integrity and capability of Smalley, however, assured the licensing course led by the Technical Director remains a distinguished course of high standards.
"Its not only me saying this. Coaches who studied at the A License Course offered in Maldives earlier also say that this A License Course is of a different standard," he revealed.
Coaches who undertook the previous course had attended the sessions of the new course as observers, shared Sobah.
Meanwhile, the young Coach Aafiu Mohamed Hameed (Aafi), also enrolled in the course had noted the distinctive teaching methods adopted by Smalley.
"Teaching methods vary with different coaches. How Paul assesses is also different. Once how he assesses is known, it becomes clear his standards are not low," said Aafiu.
Sobah further disclosed that the Iranian Technical Director, Majid Jalali had also visited Maldives in company of the AFC federation sent to monitor the A Licensing Course.
"The Iranian Technical Director also highlighted that Paul's teaching standards are high. Can daresay this course is by far the highest standard of coaching course offered in Maldives," said Sobah, who also took part in a coaching education program extended by Johan Cruyff Institute located in Barcelona, Spain.
"Paul is not done after completing the curriculum and assigning tasks. He pushes coaches, and if needed, also pressures them. He encourages them to complete [the task] to perfection if they become too lax. His pressure in equipping coaches with the vision to change Maldives' football traditions is very significant."
The coaching course which started early in May observed participation from 24 coaches of which 6 are foreigners. This accounts for 3 Bangladeshi coaches, one from Gambia and 2 of Nepalese origin. The competition also saw participation from three women as well.
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