Imphal, May 10 : Stephen David Darby, a well-known coach from Liverpool, England, is presently coaching Manipur state footballers under a two-month coaching programme for boys in the age group 15-18 years.
The programme started May 1. The coaching programme that is being held under the sponsorship of Manipur Development Society and Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur, and it is being organised by, All Manipur Football Association ( AMFA ).
All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has conducted an initial screening test for 100 players at the Artificial Turf Ground, followed by another screening limiting to 60 players.
Later, 30 players have been selected out of the 60 players and is being given training, twice a day, which will carry on till June 30.
The two month long residential football coaching is being conducted by Stephen David Darby, a British national who is a holder of the English Football Association Full “A” licence, and is being assisted by three state coaches- two from All Manipur Football Association, AFC “A” coach L Nandakumar Singh, AFC “B” L Chaoba Devi and one from Youth Affairs and Sports, Dip NIS, AFC “B” coach G Dhanakumar Sharma.
The Manipur Development Society provided an estimate of Rs 35 lakhs for the coaching.
Stephen Darby has coached top clubs in Singapore, Malaysia and besides being the Assistant Coach of the Thailand national team.
He is looking after the technical aspects of coaching as well as mentoring the players and preparing them for the highest level of professional football.
This is the first time that Manipur Government has engaged a foreign coach for an intensive course in football.
The programme is designed to develop skill and tactics, physical and mental conditioning and also to imparting knowledge of emerging trends of modern football practices to the selected boys and girls.
This is also the first time that MDS, a government agency, is dabbling in sports. The agency is normally engaged in infrastructure development
Coaches in Manipur are looking forward to reaping the benefits of the course.