'Pro license' holder Priya prioritises women's football development over coaching in ISL

Why don't you coach men's football? "Because I believe in serving those who need my help the most," said Priya P V, the first Indian woman to earn the 'Pro License' diploma from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The pinnacle of football coaching excellence in Asia makes Kannur native Priya eligible to be a coach with any Indian Super League side. At least four other Indians who cleared the 'pro license' diploma course in Riyadh this month, along with Priya, are (were) associated with ISL clubs in the capacity of an assistant coach.

Fellow Malayalis T G Purushothaman and Shameel Chembakath are assistant coaches at Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC respectively. Former international Gourmangi Singh is assistant to Manolo Marquez at FC Goa, while Raman Vijayan was Owen Coyle's deputy at Chennaiyin FC until earlier this year.

But at present Priya's priorities are in the women's game. "There are plenty of men out there to coach men. The whole point is not about my comfort, it is about women's development," Priya told Onmanorama.

She has been coaching women's football in various capacities for over a decade. She started with the U14s. Most recently, Priya was Santosh Kashyap's deputy at senior India's SAFF campaign in Kathmandu. She is also the head coach of India's U-17 girls' team.
Priya understands that women's football in India is a hard grind, even for professionals, and she wants to use her expertise in coaching to guide them. "To give an example, while men get coaching throughout the year, women don't. Women's football is at a different stage altogether. Sometimes we need to give homeworks (training drills) for our players, who may be at their homes in some remote areas in the country," Priya said.

India's exit in the semifinal stage in the last two SAFF Women's Championships proves her point. She mentions the case of Bangladesh. "Their approach has changed; they have a structure, though a modest one. They run long-term camps that we don't have here. Even their U-17 players are getting regular guidance, which is really good."

That said, Priya realises women's football in India has come a long way, and she is proud to be part of its journey. She says the Indian Women's League has turned football into a career for young players. Under Priya's guidance Gokulam Kerala Women clinched an IWL title.

Academic route to coaching
Priya had a decade-long playing career that began in 1997 and went on until 2009, when she skippered the state team. Since hanging up her boots, Priya turned to coaching and completed her NIS Diploma from Patiala before doing her M.Phil in physical education.

During her seven-year tenure at Calicut University, Priya coached the men's side. Meanwhile, she gained valuable experience under the guidance of veteran coach Chitra Gangadharan. "During that time, a B licence course was held at Sambalpur in Odisha. Gabriel (Joseph) sir (then coaching director at AIFF) told me to participate if I was interested. There were no other women, and all I asked was if I could find a safe place to stay. They gave me such a homely experience."
Priya says her penchant for academics has helped her become a better coach. "I have always had a grasp over science subjects. Psychology, biomechanics and sports medicine were all part of my M.Phil learning."

Earlier this year, Priya completed her PhD. Unsurprisingly, the topic was related to women's football, emphasising the psychological and topographical factors that apply to the game in India.