Interview with Bengaluru FC U-15 coach Saksham Kakkar: "The ultimate aim is to see these boys play in the senior team"

Bengaluru FC U-15 coach Saksham Kakkar coach expects more success from the side after an impressive Manchester United Premier Cup campaign.

I-League table-toppers Bengaluru FC have certainly been one of the best things that happened to Indian football in the past few years – and it’s not just the senior side that’s been in the news for their on-field heroics. Last week, their U-15 setup, Bengaluru FC Colts clinched the regional title and finished runners-up in the Indian leg of Manchester United Premier Cup.

Sportskeeda recently caught up with the BFC Colts’ coach Saksham Kakkar, as he reflected on his side’s incredible run in their first ever competitive tournament.

Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

1. First of all, congratulations on a splendid performance put up by the Colts at the MUPC. How would you rate the whole experience?

Thanks! It’s easily been the best experience of my life. I’m only 23, so for me to lift my first trophies as a coach is a massive achievement. But again, the players are the ones I say thanks to for performing the way they did.

2. When did the Colts actually start preparing for the MUPC? With BFC’s youth development setup built from the scratch in the past few months, what were the challenges you came across ahead of your first big tournament?

We are a new club and the preparations started from the minute I walked into the club, which was early September. So, there’s been a good four months of preparation gone into this team. With that came a few hurdles, the biggest one being the language considering Tamil and Kannada is something I’ve never spoken before.

3. Not many I-League clubs have channelled their efforts in developing a strong academy. How important is a youth football setup for Bengaluru FC?

It’s very important and the results are there to see for everyone. We have an Under-11 and an Under-13 side apart from the Under-19s – so you can see the emphasis that is put on the academy. The ultimate aim is to watch these boys play in the senior team one day, which is a goal that keeps the coaches working hard on the training pitch.

4. What is the style of play the Bengaluru FC U-15s have adopted?

There’s no real style of play but we place a lot of emphasis on quick passes and everything is done with the ball. The boys get in for training by 6, and there’s a good hour and a half of training that involves only the football at their feet.

5. How important is it to model the game around the senior team’s style so they can make the step up to the first team in the future?

It’s really important and something we’ve started already. Like I said, the idea is to get the players playing for the senior team one day and we’ve modelled the formation and play around the senior team’s. We mainly use names of players from the senior team as examples so the boys get a good understanding of their positions as they’ve seen them play in all the home games.

6. As a young professional coach, in a young coaching setup along with Richard Hood, who do you look up for inspiration and right guidance at the club?

Well firstly, the name you mentioned (Richard Hood) and then obviously the whole coaching staff. As a coach you’re learning every day, be it from the U-11 coach or the senior team coaching staff. The work that everybody puts into the club is enough to inspire me and I’m only happy to reciprocate.

7. After spending the last few months with these youngsters, have you spotted any potential first team talent in your side?

I’ll be a little biased and say I have identified quite a few players that might play for the senior team. But I’m not going to mention any names, as I wouldn’t want the boys to get cocky either. Every youth coach dreams that his player make it to the senior team. So even if one makes the grade, I’ll consider it job well done.

8. The team did well to make it all the way to the final. Do you think you can do one better in the next tournament even though it is a 7-a-side tournament (Adidas Bayern Munich Cup in Delhi)?

The team did very well to make it to the final, but the last thing as a coach I could do is rest on my laurels. The preparations have already started for the 7-a-side tournament and I’m really looking forward to my second tournament as a coach. Having said that, I’d just like to make a special mention about the Bengaluru FC management and board of directors who have been fantastic with their support to the academy staff and players.

9. The current setup has all the players are from Bangalore. Are there plans to find talented players from other cities in Karnataka, or even India? Are there any limitations (like school, stay) at present?

We’ve kept local players our priority. There are so many young players in this city and it’s only fair we give these local players a chance to develop and hopefully play for the senior team and the country maybe. Most of these children do go to school, so yes, it is a little problematic. However, it isn’t something that comes in the way of training. The boys wake up as early as 4.30 to make sure they reach for training on time. I’ve always said discipline starts with the players and then reflects on the coaches and then their football.

10. Is there a target in mind to have at least ‘x’ number of players from BFC representing India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017?

There isn’t a certain number we’ve identified but it would be good if some players from the academy represent the country in the World Cup. We aim to produce good players and if they end up playing for the country that’s just a bonus for the academy and would reflect the work we’ve all been doing.