Glad to become state's football coach: Gift Raikhani
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 02 2021:
Gift Raikhan, who has been appointed as head coach of state mens football team for the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship, said that he is grateful to coach the state team even though he could not play for the state during his playing career.
All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) president Moirangthem Ratankumar felicitated Gift Raikhan and presented the official appointment letter as the head coach of the state team in a function held at Hotel Classic Grande, here on Thursday.
Interacting with the media, Raikhan said that he did not have the opportunity to represent Manipur during his playing career but today he is getting the opportunity to coach the state team for Santosh Trophy and he feels proud for the opportunity.
He took the offer and rejected other proposals to coach I-league and ISL clubs.
He will do his best to win the Santosh Trophy title, which the state last won in 2002, the coach said.
Raikhan, who helped NEROCA FC to the I~League runners up title in the 2017-18 season as the head coach, said that with just two months away for the northeast qualifiers, he will start training the state team by ensuring vaccination of all the players and officials to meet the Covid-19 criteria.
Selection will be held in three tiers with 120 players shortlisted for finalising selection of 25 players.
He will take the opportunity of the pandemic for aggressive training of the players, Raikhan said.
So far, none of the northeast states have begun their camps and Manipur is getting an edge over other teams.
Screening of players will be completed within one month.
He believes that the strongest competitor will be Mizoram but expressed confidence that the Manipur team would prevail.
The coach also emphasised on virtual training apart from fitness practices and physical training to the players.
Regarding lack of exposure due to Covid-19, Raikhan said that a special training module will be required and the camp will begin from September 10.All India Football Federation (AIFF) is restricting I-league and ISL players from participating in this season and it is the right opportunity to show the nation state's football prowess and hidden talents, he said.
Like the fames and medals brought by state players in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, it is his goal to gift the Santosh Trophy title to the people of the state, Raikhan added.
AMFA president Moirangthem Ratankumar said that the association appointed Raikhan as the head coach of state team considering his experience.
AMFA strongly believes that the state team will script history under his guidance, he said while assuring of best possible support to the team.