Football Association of Maldives has kicked off under 14 national team trainings. As the interschool football tournament held in capital Male’ has already being concluded, FAM scouted player with most potential to train, grow and play in national under 14 side.

Under 14 national team training continuing under the instruction of FAM youth development coaching team. Under 19 national team coach and deputy technical director of FAM, Coach Ihsan Abdul Ghani (Coach Saanthi) will be leading the coaching team. And he will be accompanied by assistant coach of senior men’s national team, Coach Ahmed Shakir (Coach Shaakitte), former under 14 national team coach, Coach Ibrahim Haleem (Coach Jadaa), former under 16 national team coach, Coach Ahmed Shaazly (Coach Shaaz) and Coach Mohamed Athif.

Football Association of Maldives has picked total 40 players from various schools with the help of youth development coaches, whom helped to scout the players. It includes 4 goal keeper and 36 players.

Later the squad of 40 players will be minimized to 30 players. According to FAM, the plan is to work long term to develop a junior national side, keeping the recent happenings in mind.

“The aim is to develop and help these players to grow. We are working on a long term with a vision. It is long term preparation for 2019. This under 14 players will be training and preparing themselves for under 16 international tournaments as these players will be under 16 then and will eligible to play in under 16 age category regional and international tournaments in year 2019, such as AFC and SAFF.” Coach Ihsan briefs the work.

“During these trainings, players will be fully monitored and helping in the areas that certain player is lacking.” He explains.

Coach Ihsan also details that under 14 national side trainings will be going on throughout the year as they will be training three times in a week.