Former India international and former assistant coach of Chennaiyin FC, Raman Vijayan, entered the country’s women’s football. He has been appointed the head coach of three-time IWL champion Gokulam FC’s women’s team.
While speaking to Parallel Sports over the phone from Chennai, the 52-year-old coach said, “I also had dreams of starting a women’s football academy along with my men’s football academy. It has not yet come up. So, from that perspective, I am happy to have obtained the opportunity to work with the women’s football team, although I did not expect this opportunity initially.”
Raman, who is expected to begin training from the first week of August, is setting eyes on the team’s qualification for the AFC Champions League. “The team finished runners-up in the last two consecutive IWL. My challenge will be to win the title and qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League.”
When asked about the season behind choosing to venture into women’s football, Raman revealed, “I had offers to join as assistant coach again. But upon returning from a break of one complete season, I decided I would only take up the role of head coach. So, I am happy to be in IWL.”
Commenting on the present standard of women’s football in India, Raman explained, “I have been following IWL matches, Indian women’s team’s matches. Women’s football is improving rapidly, and Kerala and Tamil Nadu have made a major contribution to the progress of Indian women’s football, as several footballers from these states are coming up. I have a belief that once the season starts, our team will also be gaining momentum.”
