Guwahati boy Subam Rabha became the youngest coach from Assam to attain the AFC-B license certificate, the highest level of coaching accreditation issued by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The 26-year-old football coach is associated with Guwahati-based ISL franchise North East United FC (NUFC). Assam has so far eight such coaches with AFC-B license.

“I am so glad to have successfully completed it. I have been working hard to be a better coach ever since I took coaching seriously. I thank everybody who has helped me reach here,” an elated Subam told The Telegraph.

This course is for coaches who already have the “C” certificate. The course is designed to educate coaches in developing a playing style, planning individual, group and team preparation. It will also help coaches to understand coaching during training and matches. The duration of the course is 19 days divided into three modules.

The journey for Subam as a coach started in 2013 when he joined South Point School and after that from 2015 he has been associated with NUFC as a grassroots coach.

As a player he also played in Subrata Cup in 2010. Later in 2012, he sustained a serious knee injury during a match of Pilik Chowdhury inter-district tournament. That was the end of his playing career.

“We lacked knowledge on various aspects, including the injuries. As a result, my injury brought to an end to my playing career. But that opened up a new avenue for me as a coach. And I am happy with whatever I am doing now.”

During his initial days, he happened to meet Anju Turambekar, the instructor and assessor of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) when he went to do his grassroots training. Anju, who also happens to be an AFC grassroots panel member and technical expert, inspired him to take coaching seriously.

Subam is also grateful to the NUFC family and its coach Khalid Jamil for guiding him in the right direction. “Khalid sir and others at the NUFC have been extremely helpful in guiding me and making me a better coach. Last five years at the NUFC have been a learning experience for me,” Subam added.

Subam, who hails from a humble family in the city, is looking forward to better his record to be the first and also the youngest from Assam to have an AFC A licence.

“The scene of coaching in the state is not very encouraging compared to the other states. States like Manipur and Meghalaya have qualified coaches. To have qualified coaches is very important to improve the overall scenario of the game. To play and to coach are two different things. I am looking forward to be the first from the state to attain the AFC A licence,” he said.