AIFF 'Blip test' for 61 players

The All India Football Federation conducted the 'Blip test' for 61 players on Tuesday morning and recorded relevant physiological data of the footballers.

AIFF Sports Medicine programme chairman Dr Vece Paes, who will complete the tests tomorrow, said, "The fitness level of the boys has generally improved compared to the past, thanks to the initiatives and scientific training methods of Constantine."

Stating that the AIFF would henceforth record, once in a year, detailed physiological and psychological data of top footballers, Paes said, "These will enable any coach to readily ascertain the condition of a particular player."

He said the clubs playing in the National Football League could get their players tested and obtain their physiological data by participating in the AIFF-organised programme.

Meanwhile, India's chief football coach Stephen Constantine said he will undergo the UEFA Elite coaching course, beginning next week in the United Kingdom.

Now supervising the first-ever Sports Medicine programme, organised by the All India Football Federation at the Sports Authority of India campus in Kolkata, Constantine said he will take two weeks' leave, from June 14, to attend the initial phases off one-year programme for English coaches.

"I will attend the course for two-weeks and plan to do the rest through e-mail correspondence," the Ango-Cypriot, selected from a panel of applicants for the programme, said.

He will return on June 28 and take the Indian Under-18 squad to the Milk Cup in Ireland, where India have been invited for the first time.

Constantine, who had proposed compilation of medical data of Indian footballers selected for the national duty, said he is missing the services of his former assistant Aloke Mukherjee, now in-charge of Mohun Bagan.

"Aloke was doing a good job as the assistant coach of the Indian team. He has the willingness to learn...I am disappointed that he will not be available for the national side," he said.

Constantine also hailed the initiatives of East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick to hire a South African physical trainer and introduce scientific methods of training for his players with a view to fare well in Asean Cup and Asian Club Cup championships.