LAST week the city’s fondness for football was evident when international football coach Dino Serdarevic coached a bunch of the game’s enthusiasts at Indulge Tiki Taka 2019. Organised by Indulge The Morning Standard, in association with German Football Academy (GFA) at V/S Sports Arena, the event saw the 25-year-old Youth Development for Viking FK, Norway, who is in the city as a guest coach at GFA, pass on some tricks of the game. On his maiden trip to the country, with six years of experience under his belt, Dino talks football and more...
Is this your first trip to India?
Yes, this is my first time in Kolkata and India. It is an amazing city and I’m very impressed with GFA’s (Ger man Football Academy) contribution to the football scene in Kolkata, and in other cities. I have heard about the teams from Kolkata in I-league, Mohun Began AC and East Bengal FC. I would really like to watch them play next time when I am here. I have heard that Maradona has been to Kolkata, and has his own statue here!
You are so young and already a coach. Do you think the early you start the better it is?
I started coaching when I was 20 years old. By starting early, I have gained a lot of experience already, which will be very useful in my coaching career. I have also intentionally chosen to coach different age groups over the years. So in my opinion, yes, the earlier you start the better it is.
Did you always want to be a coach and not a player?
I played football from the age of five until I was 20 years old, and always had a little dream of playing professionally as every kid has. But coaching has always seemed exciting.
Which is your favourite football team?
I have always supported the English team, Liverpool. In Norway, I support my hometown team, Viking FK. They recently had the Indian player Lallianzuala Chhangte on trial from Dehli Dynamos.
How important is it to learn and play more football?
People should play more football due to the cohesion and the socialization that takes place in football. Team sports give you the experience of working in groups where you have to interact with other individuals. This will be beneficial to the children later in life. According to FIFA, there are 265 million players actively involved in football around the world. That is roughly about four per cent of the world’s population.