Football Association of Maldives has introduced Coaching Licensing system for the first time.

First batch to receive the License card are the Women's Coaching batch that completed the C-Certificate course recently. In today's ceremony FAM also awarded Instructor Licences to new FAM D-Instructors.

Speaking to the participants FAM's Coach Education Department chief Mohamed Shazly explained the difference between C-Certificate and C-License. "AFC has awarded you the C-Certificate, The Association has issued a two year License based on the certificate. After two years you have to renew it" He said talking to the participants. The Licenses can only be renewed if the coaches/instructors have worked in their respective fields. This also paves the way for refresher courses. Those coaches who have not worked in football enough in the last couple of years have to attend a refresher course.

According to a senior coach, who did not want to be named, a refresher course is just a workshop. The coaches will not be required to sit for examinations.

General Secretary Hussain Jawaz also highlighted the importance of the D-License instructors. The Football Association of Maldives has given special attention to coach education under Bassam Adheel Jalil's leadership. This year alone the FAM has conducted a D-License Instructor course, an A-Certificate course, a B-Certificate course and few C-Certificate courses.

On behalf of the participants, coach Mohamed Nizam (Nizambe) of TC Sports spoke to the participants as a guest speaker. Nizambe thanked the Association for the opportunity. Nizambe also advised the women coaches saying that opportunities are there for those who take it. "I am not under contract at the moment, but if and when I have the chance, my door is open for any woman coach to come and work as my assistant" Nizambe said. "Coach Shazly has said that there are more than six women coaches who are good enough to be working as assistant coaches in the Premier League" he added.

Photo: FAM