FC Mangalore’s commitment to staying at the forefront of modern football education was on full display recently, as two of the club’s leading coaches — Biby Thomas and Shailesh Karkera — were among a select group chosen to attend the prestigious AIFF Coach Educators’ Refresher Course in Mumbai.
The high-level program, organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), was conducted by Vivek Nagul, AIFF’s Head of Coach Development. This exclusive refresher course is designed for existing coach educators and senior coaches who play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of football coaches across the country.
One of the key highlights of the program was an in-depth introduction to AIFF’s new Position Specific coaching methodology — an innovative approach that aligns India’s coaching framework with modern trends in global football. The methodology emphasises detailed, tailored training for players based on their unique roles on the field, helping coaches design sessions that better develop technical, tactical, and decision-making skills.
“Being part of this refresher course was an invaluable experience,” said Biby Thomas, who also serves as FC Mangalore’s Technical Director. “It’s vital for us as coach educators to stay updated with the latest methods so that we can bring that knowledge back to our own clubs and coaching communities.”
Shailesh Karkera echoed this sentiment, adding, “It was inspiring to learn directly from Vivek Nagul Sir and to exchange ideas with fellow coach educators from across India. The insights we gained on Position Specific training and modern coach education practices will certainly help us enhance the way we develop players and coaches at FC Mangalore.”
Participation in such elite coaching programs reflects FC Mangalore’s dedication not just to competitive success, but to building a robust football ecosystem through continuous learning and upskilling. By investing in their own coach educators, the club ensures that players, grassroots coaches, and the wider football community benefit from the most up-to-date, effective training methods available.
With leaders like Biby Thomas and Shailesh Karkera bringing back fresh ideas and international best practices, FC Mangalore continues to raise the bar for football development in the region.
