WIFA kicks-off India’s first Diploma course in Football Management

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, May 18, 2016 : The Western Indian Football Association (WIFA), the governing body of football for Maharashtra, has always made great efforts to promote football and bring professionalism to the sport. They have now launched a dedicated career Diploma course in Football Management, in the city of Mumbai, thus becoming the first football association in the country to start such an initiative.

WIFA has started this program in association with skill domain experts Skillanation and the St. Paul’s Institute of Communication Education.

Mr. Souter Vaz, Hon. Secretary of WIFA and Mr. Henry Menezes, CEO of WIFA inaugurated the Course and stressed the need for trained Football Managers to shepherd the fastest growing sport in the country.

“Our collaboration with Skillanation in launching this much-needed formalised training programme, bears testament to our commitment in providing the best opportunities in every arena to Football enthusiasts in Maharashtra,” said Mr. Souter Vaz.

Two diploma course tracks are on offer – full time and part time, providing students to choose their preferred course. The Diploma course will teach students the entire gamut of Football Management, Marketing, Sponsorships, Grassroots Development, Merchandising and Governance. Students, upon completion of the course, will be able to work with Clubs, Academies, Teams, Leagues and Federations.

“We have seen the huge difference that trained coaches and referees can make to the sport and similarly it is imperative that we train Football Managers to lead the development of Football in the country,” said Mr. Menezes.

“We are delighted to offer phenomenal career opportunities in the fast growing football landscape, both within Maharashtra and other states in the country, to our young men and women who are passionate about Football. Our goal is to ensure that India has well trained young men and women, who could use their professional expertise for specific functions like Football Administration, Marketing, Operations, Research, Management, Consulting and Entrepreneurship. India is attracting an increasing number of World class Sports Events such as the Under-17 World Cup and it is getting equally important that we have local talent which is highly skilled and trained to organise and manage these Events. Our courses are designed to enable that skilled expertise,” added Mr. Menezes.

For Admissions or more information please call, Krupali on 8454833377 or contact the WIFA office at Cooperage Football Stadium or St. Paul’s Institute of Communication Education, Bandra.

 About WIFA

ü Founded in 1911, WIFA is the second oldest body of Football in India

ü WIFA is affiliated to AIFF and the Maharashtra Olympic Association since their inception

ü WIFA is an association of 33 districts of Maharashtra and its registered office is located in Mumbai at the Cooperage Football Stadium

ü WIFA has 2 ISL and 2 I-League teams.

ü WIFA currently conducts Inter District Football Championships for Men and Women in 4 age categories on a league cum knock out basis.

About Skillanation

Skillanation has been set up as a World-class skill development programme, spurred by the national skill development mission of the Government of India to fulfill the growing need in India for skilled personnel across fast-growing futuristic sectors and narrow the existing and potential gap between the demand and supply of skills. Skillanation powers courses in fast emerging verticals such as Sports Broadcasting, Football Management, Big Data Analytics and Corporate Wellness and works in close collaboration with the Indo-African Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industries.