SHILLONG: Taking part in the third and final module of the AFC Pro-Diploma Course 2014 in Japan, Shillong Lajong FC coach Thangboi Singto has praised the level of professionalism in the football scene in the country.
“Back home, we often speak about professionalism,” Singto was quoted as saying on the All India Football Federation website on Tuesday.
“Japan serves as the perfect example of it – be it management, coaching, infrastructure or the approach to the game. It is an education for all to understand how the Japanese are competing with the best of the world.”
Singto is one of 12 course participants along with India national coach Wim Koevermans, who is also the course coordinator.
The group visited one of the premier clubs in Japan – Cerezo Osaka FC – and visited its state of the art facilities.
From the quality of the football pitches, training grounds, equipment, organisation, indoor facilities, gymnasium, conference rooms and other units, the club has all that is required for top-level football.
Koevermans said the visit gave the participants the chance to have a first-hand feel of the facilities in a “top footballing nation”.
“The aim is to take it to the highest level possible and this visit abroad gives teh participants a chance to see how football and the organisational structure should be,” he said.
“The experience has been great and visiting Cerezo Osaka FC has been an eye opener for everybody.”
Cerezo has, over the years, produced some of the best talents from Japan, including Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa, was was a club cadet.
Furthermore, the team also signed Urugruay international Diego Forlan earlier this year.
“The philosophy of the Club is very clear with their total commitment. They are also very proud of the players they developed,” Koevermans added.
The course got underway on May 6 with a series of theoretical and practical sessions at the J-Green Football Centre, Sakai, with the participants conducting various practical sessions with players from local universities and academies.
One of the coaches present is former Rangdajied United FC gaffer Santosh Kashyap, who echoed the praise of Singto.
“Seeing is believing! It’s a lesson to watch the manner in which things are implemented. The commitment, the work ethics and the dedication is something we have to learn,” he said.
“For a coach, it is important to implement them as much as possible. The approach to youth development and the path of the graduation of the youth players into the senior team also has an amazing ratio. They have every right to feel proud about it.”
The participants also got the opportunity to watch the AFC Champions League match between Cerezo and Guangzhou Evergrande FC held at the Yanmar Nagai Stadium, the home stadium of Cerezo.
Cerezo also happens to be one of the very few clubs in the world to have two stadiums, the other being Kincho Stadium.
The group now moves to Shizuoka for the second part of the module in Tokinosumika.