World football federation FIFA and Asian football confederation provides massive funding to promote and develop football for all ages and gender all around the world. Specially for coaches, players, referees, grassroots and professional individuals.

Recently AFC took a huge step for the development of Maldives football. For the first time in Maldives with initiation of Football association of Maldives held a AFC C license coaching course with 29 Female participants. But due to some unknown reasons only 19 participants were able to complete and achieved AFC C license for coaching. This is a huge and unimaginable dream for all Maldivian female footballers.

In talks with Head of FAM coaches Education and course instructor, Mohamed Shaazly said “this was a very successful course. Female participants are able to understand and learn faster than male participants in practical and theory lessons.

After this course will help us to build and develop women’s football in Maldives for all ages” Shaazly added.

Shaazly highlighted that almost all the participants completed this course was former National Women’s Football team of Maldives who’s played 10-15 years or more. Thus their determination and experience will bring more opportunities and help to grow our women’s football in Maldives.

According to Coach Shaazly, some Parents hesitates to send their daughters to play football if there is a Male coach, but after this course of all the participants are to start their journeys in coaching. These parents will be more comfortable and at ease to send their daughters.

Until now the only active women’s coach was Ms. Mariyam Mohamed(Mayan) who played for Maldives national women’s football team.

 The participants are more than happy for this opportunity. This was a life changing opportunity. And this will help them to Continue their service to Women’s football. Also shows how much determined FA Maldives is to help women’s football in Maldives. “This was a very successful course. We learned a lot about football which we haven’t heard of till now. This got us very excited and wants to learn more. So many women’s coaches were introduced to the world of coaching and hope they will help us in many ways to improve women’s football in development and club level” talking to Boalha.mv, course participant and Maldives National Women’s football team vice-Captain ms. Mariyam Mirfath said.

Another participant of this course Ms. Aishath Mahin (Koky) who is an academy Assistant coach in ETFA(Early Touch Football Academy) says “We give a huge round of applause and thanks to FA Maldives for this opportunity. This is my lifelong dream to participate in a AFC coaching course specially for women’s in Maldives.”

Mahin also stated that before in academy she has to learn everything from senior coaches. And all trainings have been as per instructed by the senior coaches. But after what she have learned in this course she has the confidence and determination to coach in academy without depending on anyone. And in future she wished to continue being a coach and reach the level of National Women’s Football team head coach and participate in an international football competition under her coaching. We wish all the best to Mahin.

Both Mirfath and Mahin also said they won’t hesitate to coach men’s teams if that opportunity is to be presented to them and they’ll take that chance and help in any way to help Maldives Football.

Biggest question is, will the participant of this course get the opportunity or the environment to coach as they were would like to?!