BENGALURU: Balance. Poise. Discipline. These words best describe Chitra Gangadharan, ace footballer and coach, whom you can catch nurturing budding talent at the Basavanagudi National College grounds every evening.
The head coach of Bangalore United Football Club (BUFC), one of the oldest clubs in South Bengaluru, is also the only person in Karnataka to have an ‘A’ coaching licence from the Asian Football Confederation.
In 1976, she played her first international match, and there has been no looking back since. She received her NIS Diploma in coaching in 1981.
Her daughter Amoolya Kamal also shares her love for the game. The Ekalavya Award recipient is part of the BUFC team, and holds a ‘C’ coaching licence from the Asian Football Confederation.
This mother-daughter duo is scoring victory after victory.
Excerpts from an interview with Chitra:
Did you face any difficulties in this field as a woman?
Not many. If you know your game well, and have substance, people respect you. If you are confident and willing to take on challenges, no one will take you for granted. In fact, some of my trainees were older than me.
Your coaching mantra?
A coach should train based on the learner’s requirements, not on what the coach knows. Coaching should be designed to suit the student’s needs. For beginners, the focus should be on technique. For professionals, attention should be paid to fitness and core training.
Name some notable players you have trained.
Several of my students have made it big — Venkatesh Shanmugan, Kuttimani, Robin and Sudhakar... Most boys I have trained have played for the national team.
Do you coach for any other team?
Yes, I am a coach under the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
What do you think of the Bangalore Football Club?
Because of its popularity, awareness of football has greatly increased. Their marketing strategy is good. BFC may also start a women’s team soon.
Has there been an increase in women participation in football?
Yes, a steady increase. Nowadays, many colleges have their own women’s teams. At least about 60 teams appear even for league trials. This is a good sign. But technique training is still backward for women. They don’t practice as regularly as their male counterparts, and more importance is given to the men’s teams than women’s.
So how can we nurture football talent in women?
Football facilities should be accessible to both boys and girls from when they are young. Girls’ teams should be introduced at the school level. The importance of technique training, still not the best for women, cannot be stressed enough.
The growth of football in women in the state is slow as most girls are academically-oriented. They should be made aware of the several opportunities that open up if they take up sport -- in the police, railways, coaching...
Some of your other achievements?
I was captain of the team at national, international and south zone level, before I started coaching. I have also got national and state awards.
Your favourite international club?
Manchester United. We watch international matches to observe changing trends, new techniques and practice systems.