Inspiration for Every Indian Coach: Armando Colaco, Dronacharya Award Recipient
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New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) Former national coach Armando Colaco expressed that the Dronacharya Award 2024 for Lifetime Achievements, which he was honored with on Thursday, is expected to greatly assist in nurturing more proficient Indian coaches.
Hailing from Goa, Colaco becomes the third Indian football coach, following Syed Nayeemuddin and Bimal Ghosh, to attain this esteemed recognition.
Recognized as one of the most accomplished coaches in the country in the 21st century, Colaco has had a remarkable coaching career spanning nearly four decades, with successes on both national and international stages.
“The primary takeaway is that our coaches will start to see that their dedicated efforts will resonate, and I could serve as an inspiration for them as I bridge the gap between the older and newer generations. This could provide a motivational boost for all Indian coaches, especially since foreign coaches are currently dominating the Indian football scene,” stated Colaco, who led the national team in 2011.
During his brief tenure as national coach, Colaco achieved notable results, including a 2-1 victory over Qatar in a friendly match held in Doha. That same year, he managed to guide India to a commendable 2-2 draw against the formidable United Arab Emirates in a World Cup qualifying match at Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi.
“However, I will always remember the 0-3 defeat we faced against UAE in the away matchup. We were down to nine players within 25 minutes due to two red cards. I had to rapidly adjust our tactics and reorganize the players to stay competitive,” recalled Colaco.
As a club coach, Colaco elevated Dempo Sports Club in Goa to new heights. Under his leadership, Dempo clinched the National Football League twice and the I-League three times. His players included notable figures like Samir Naik, Mahesh Gawali, Clifford Miranda, and Climax Lawrence, who represented the national team for many years. Between the 2004-05 and 2011-12 seasons, Dempo was a dominant force in Indian domestic football thanks to Colaco’s guidance.
“I had players who not only played for the national team but also captained it. That truly brought me joy. I feel blessed; that is the greatest reward for my extensive efforts over the years,” shared the seasoned coach.
At 70, Colaco remains actively involved in coaching and continues to pursue success with vigor. He is currently associated with Sporting Clube de Goa. “My objective now is to lead the club to the I-League, and I am hopeful for a successful outcome soon,” he mentioned.
“I derive immense joy from embracing challenges. It has always been a passion for me. When I accepted the coaching position at East Bengal, I was informed that the match against Mohun Bagan is deemed the most significant. I accepted the challenge quietly. During my time there, East Bengal faced Mohun Bagan six times and remained unbeaten,” Colaco stated.
The Dronacharya awardee believes that Indian coaches should have more opportunities. “Indian coaches have the edge of understanding the culture. That is a crucial factor. You know your players; you know your motherland, India. It always proves beneficial,” he concluded.
