The Federation of Football Coaches of India (FFCI) has taken a commendable step in honouring the unsung heroes of Indian football—the coaches who shape the future of the sport but often remain in the shadows. While many footballers receive recognition, the contributions of coaches frequently go unnoticed. To address this, FFCI organised a special felicitation ceremony in Kolkata, where veteran coaches shared their experiences and the challenges they face.

FFCI President Sanjoy Banerjee inaugurated the event, emphasising the crucial role coaches play in player development. "There are countless programs to celebrate footballers, but few acknowledge the tireless efforts of those who train and mentor them behind the scenes," he said.

Veteran coach Mridul Banerjee highlighted the struggles faced by coaches across the country. "We often talk about grassroots and football development, but what about the people driving that development? Coaches face major challenges that remain unaddressed," he remarked.

As part of the initiative, FFCI honoured several coaches under the title of “Unsung Gurus,” including Amitabha Ghosh, Balaram Matari, Bidyut Kumar Paul, Manjur Khan, Santosh Hazra, Hem Das, Madan Singh Rathore, Pradip Das, and many others.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Shyam Thapa, a legend who played for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and has dedicated his life to Indian football. Expressing his gratitude, he stated, “There are very few platforms where coaches get the recognition they deserve. Coaching is an art, and not all great players become great teachers.”

Another notable awardee was Susil Verma, a former footballer associated with Ranchi Football, who is now nurturing underprivileged children in Jharkhand. He was honoured with the Special Appreciation Award for his selfless contribution to grassroots football.

The event also recognised other prominent figures in Indian football, including Harjinder Singh, a driving force behind Punjab and East Bengal in the 1970s and 80s, who was awarded a Special Appreciation Award. Alongside him, Dr. Rohit Parashar, who has contributed significantly to football and its associations, and coaches from Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmed Bhat and Sajid Yousuf Dar, were also felicitated.

IFA Chairman Subrata Dutta, attending as the chief guest, addressed the need for structured coaching programs. He stressed the importance of not just producing good players but also well-trained coaches. “Becoming a coach requires tenacity, but not all are good teachers. We need more organisations to groom quality coaches, and proper scouting systems must be in place to uplift Bengal’s football.”

One of the key takeaways from the event was a proposal by Sanjoy Banerjee, who announced that he would write to the AIFF urging the establishment of a minimum wage board for coaches. "Football has grading systems for clubs—elite, second division, and base levels—but no structured system for selecting or compensating coaches. At the very least, a minimum remuneration should be ensured," he asserted.

This initiative marks a significant step toward acknowledging and uplifting the backbone of Indian football—the coaches who dedicate their lives to nurturing talent but seldom receive the credit they deserve.