D-License course started today with 15 potential instructors.

In the opening ceremony the cheif guest Hanim thanked the Football Association for conducting this course and he said that this will be a stepping stone for the development of football in the atolls. Hanim also praised one of the participants Mayan Mohamed, the only female participant. Advising the instructors the chief guest said "Teaching is different and coaching is different".

FAM General Secretary Hussain Jawaz said this is a part of the FIFA-AFC project to create three zones outside of Male and that the Association will need Instructors to help create coaches in the Atolls. Also speaking to the participants FAM Technical Director Ihusaan Abdul Ghani (Saanthi) said they will work closely with coaches to improve the level of coaching in the Maldives. Saanthi also said that they are hoping to have first division coaches to share their experience with school and academy coaches.

Classes started today in FAM House Male'. 15 coaches started the course with the Shazly Mohamed as the Coach Instructor. The three day course will cover the basics of football coaching. Those who pass this course will be allowed to conduct and award the FAM D-Certificate. In the near future the D-License will be a pre-requisite for those coaches who wish to do the C-License course.

Two nominees of 'The Coach of the Year' Ismail Mahfooz(Imma) and Mohamed Nizam(Nizambe) are also among the participants. Veteran coach Ahmed Saleem(Heena) is also among the participants. Technical Director Saanthi expressed his pleasure at having Heena as a participant in the course. "Heena is like a father to all of us coaches" said the Technical Director.

Photo: FAM