Guwahati boy becomes youngest AFC B licensed coach in Assam

Subam Rabha, who had to give up playing at the age of 18 owing to an injury, becomes the youngest football coach in Assam to attain the AFC-B license certificate.

Subam, now 26, is associated with Guwahati based Indian Super League (ISL) franchise NorthEast United FC (NEUFC). Assam has so far eight such coaches with AFC-B license.

“I’m so glad to have successfully completed it. I have been working hard to be a better coach ever since I took coaching seriously. I thank everybody who has helped me to reach here,” an elated Subam told The Bridge.

This course is for coaches who have already completed the ‘C’ certificate. The course is designed to educate coaches in developing a playing style, planning individual, group and team preparation. It also helps coaches to understand coaching during training and matches. The duration of the course is 19 days divided into three modules.

The journey for Subam as a coach started in 2013 when he joined South Point School in Guwahati and after that from 2015 he has been associated with NUFC as a grass root coach. As a player he also played in Subrata Cup in 2010. Later in 2012, he sustained serious knee injury during a match of Pilik Chowdhury inter-district match. That was the end of his playing career.

“We lacked knowledge on various aspects including the injuries. As a result, my injury brought an end to my playing career. But that opened up a new avenue for me as a coach. And I’m happy with whatever I’m doing now,” he added.

During his initial days he happened to meet Anju Turambekar, the instructor and assessor of All India Football Federation (AIFF), when he went to do his grass root training. Anju, who also happens to be an AFC grassroots panel member and technical expert, inspired him to take coaching seriously.

Subam is also grateful to NEUFC family and its coach Khalid Jamil for guiding him in the right direction. “I must say that Khalid sir and others at the NUFC have been extremely helpful in guiding me and making me a better coach. Last five years at the NUFC have been a learning experience for me,” Subam added.

Subam who hails from a humble family in the city is looking forward to better his record to be the first and also the youngest from Assam to have an AFC A license.

“The scene of coaching in the state is not very encouraging compared to the other states. States like Manipur and Meghalaya, there are good number of qualified coaches. To have qualified coaches is very important to improve the overall scenario of the game. To play and to coach is two different things which we must understand. I’m looking forward to be the first from the state to attain the AFC A license,” he said.