For Dr Shaji Prabhakaran, sports and more specifically football is everything. His entire life revolves around this. Indeed he is one of the few lucky people who have followed up on their passion in personal life and make a career of this too! Dr Shaji Prabhakaran is Regional Development Officer for FIFA for South and Central Asia. What else can one ask for? Born in Kerala Dr Shaji Prabhakaran was brought up in a place called Binnaguri, a remote place in North Bengal Dooars, Obviously, football being the most popular sport of Bengal, Shaji also started playing it from his school days. At the age of 15 he got his first break to play in the senior team of a local tea garden club and by the time he was 16 he was a regular member of the tea garden team and played in numerous tournaments and matches in the Jalpaiguri district. By then, Shaji had set his eyes on football as a career. At the age of 21, when he was at the peak of his playing years, he suffered a knee injury that ended his career as a player. But that didn’t end his journey in football – rather it spurred him to pursue a profession in which he would be involved day to day in sports and football, if not as a player, then as a sports administrator and a coach.

Shaji studied at Gwalior’s Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education where he got a PhD in Physical Education (Specialization in Football). He also has an MBA in Marketing and Sports Business Management and Diploma in Sports Management. His topic of research was, “Why Indian Football is not doing well?” Shaji’s first assignment was as coach of the Chandigarh Football Academy which he later also managed. In 2004, he joined the AIFF. Here his job was to manage youth development, national team, coach education and women’s football. He also planned and initiated a player scouting criteria and profile for all the youth selectors. In October 2011, Shaji joined the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The work here is development oriented. He has got the opportunity to work with best organisations in Football. This has taken him to Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and many more for developing football and also to watch football matches. From being present at the FA Cup Final, Champions League final to the local age group tournament finals in India, Maldives, Bhutan, he has met and interacted with many inspirational football personalities (ex players, coaches, administrators, etc.) from all corners of the globe to visiting top clubs like Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon. It
has been the experience of a lifetime and a dream come true as he loves to travel too.
Dr Shaji Prabhakaran now has 25 years of rich experience and proven expertise in Football and Sports Management. He has been actively involved in the management of sports in various capacities and in practically in all aspects of the game, viz, Football Management and Development, Sports Management, Sports Business Development, Event Planning and Operations, Sports Grassroots Development, Football Coaching and Team Management, Sports Research, etc. Shaji has planned and executed numerous International projects in multiple countries across the globe with success.

Shaji is a talented and dedicated professional who understands Indian football, and has vast experience of the sport. He is committed to taking Indian football forward, and has the vision and the application to make a real difference. He is extremely helpful and supportive for encouraging young talent. Shaji is very optimistic about the game and says that Football in India is the fastest growing sport. He feels that sports should be encouraged to create healthy society. He says that Gen-Next is taking lot of interest in the game and parents should also encourage the children to play. Shaji has written a book on Football and its development. The book is a comprehensive guide to aspiring footballers also. The book will be launched soon.

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Ms. Swati Khanwalkar,
Radio Dwarka,
India's First Online Community Radio,
Wednesday, October 19, 2016