‘Not just money,dedication needed to promote soccer’

Nassiri represented Iran at the 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship and also the senior national team of Iran before coming to India and playing for East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting Club. He later took to coaching.

The seasoned coach feels that for the promotion of the sport in the county,the All India Football Federation needs to come up with good marketing strategies which will help in popularising the game and bringing in big companies to support the Indian teams at various levels. “It is the duty of AIFF to make ways and channels to popularise the game,” he says.

He suggested that the best way to promote the game if something concrete has to be achieved is that football should be encouraged in schools as talent needs be tapped at grassroot level.

Commenting on the football talent in the state,Jamshid said,“ There is more talent in the game in Meghalaya,Shillong,Delhi,Mumbai,Manipur,and Goa. Probably,this is because UP is more famous for hockey and cricket. The state football association needs to do a lot for football promotion. More events should be organised at the under-14,under-16 and under-18 level if something is to be achieved. More schools also need to take interest in the game of soccer.”

Nassiri is quite moved by the treatment he has received from the Indians. He still enjoys a good fan following wherever he goes. “I stay in Kolkata and I am quite moved by the hospitality that I have been getting from the people there. I really wish Indian soccer to progress.”