VIDEO: Karim, Chidi & Alvito jointly release Year Book

At the Kolkata Book Fair 2013, Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencharifa came together with East Bengal's Chidi Edeh and Alvito D'Cunha to launch a Year Book on football. Some might be surprised, but days before the next derby on Saturday the trio sat together on stage, shared a light moment with each other and spoke most likely about football in a very friendly atmosphere.

Alvito & Gouramangi complete Level 2 Coaching License

Former Indian international and East Bengal Club legend Alvito Rolando Correia D'Cunha besides current Indian international centre-back Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh have both completed the first step in their Level 2 Coaching License held at the FC Middlesbrough Academy in Darlington, UK over the last few days. They will return in few months for the assessment to complete their UK Level 2 Coaching License.

Both the players repeatedly said that were very happy about the course as they learned a lot of things which will help them progress in the future as coaches. The course instructor Ian Kerr took special care of his Indian students who were very thankful for the help provided.

They were also delighted by the fact that many other professional footballers did the course with them, amongst them numerous EPL player including former England international Jonathan Woodgate.

The standard of learning and teaching was good although it was long days of learning, which are unusual for football players, but still both Alvito and Mangi enjoyed it and learnt a lot in the course. The two will be back somewhere between three months to one year to sit for the final assessment test and complete the Level 2 Coaching Licence. Both are planning to start their 'B' Coaching License by next summer and build on what they have learned in this course.

The UK Level 2 Coaching License course has been made possible for Alvito and Gouramangi by the English 'Professional Footballers Association', who have tied-up with the Football Players Association of India to provide courses for Indian footballers from now on and in the future. The hope of the FPAI/PFA is to develop quality coaches from the pool of former Indian players.

Alvito D'Cunha set to get into Coaching

Alvito Rolando Correia D'Cunha is a seasoned footballer on the Indian football circuit who has seen and done it all. Alvito was the first Goan to really make it on the Kolkata Maidans and now a decade later he is a living legend at East Bengal Club. But getting older also means looking at what one does after the end of the playing career and Alvito has set his sights on coaching. This season Alvito has often been assistant coach to Trevor Morgan besides making a comeback on the field after a serious injury last season.

Now Alvito D'Cunha is set travel to England to participate in the FA (England) organised 1st 4Sport Level 2 Certificate course from May 21 to 25, which is equivalent to the AFC 'C' license degree. The course will be held at the facilities of English Championship club Middlesbrough FC under tutor Ian Kerr.

When I asked Alvito he said, "It's the start of my second innings! And that's coaching for me which I always thought of taking-up seriously after my football career."

The course has been made possible for Alvito by the English 'Professional Footballers Association', who have tied-up with the Football Players Association of India to provide courses for Indian footballers from now on and in the future. The hope is to develop quality coaches from the pool of former players.

I wish Alvito all the best and that he becomes a quality coach like he was a class footballer!