Former Iranian national football and futsal captain, Niloofar Ardalan, is instructing men in the art of coaching.
Niloofar Ardalan, a celebrated former captain of Iran’s national football and futsal teams, recently led an AFC ‘A’ coaching certificate course for men at the National Football Center’s academy hotel. Ardalan, a star in Iranian football, transitioned to coaching after her playing career, achieving notable success.
Coaching Achievements
In recent years, she served as the head coach for the Saipa and then Peykan futsal teams, securing multiple championships. Two years ago, Ardalan moved into football, working with the Sepahan team, though she couldn’t replicate her previous futsal successes. This year, she decided to further her coaching knowledge by enrolling in Pro License coaching classes in Japan.
Insights from Japan and Future Prospects
Ardalan highlighted the differences between coaching classes in Japan and Iran, stating that the Japanese identify their football needs and design their training curricula accordingly. She also mentioned receiving head coaching offers from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, expressing her hope to return to coaching next season.
The State of Women’s Football in Iran
Regarding the overall situation of women’s football in Iran, Ardalan noted its progress but emphasized the need for improvement in technical and tactical levels. She also acknowledged the men’s national senior team’s advancement to the next stage of competitions and expressed her hope for continued success.
A Role Model and Pioneer
Ardalan stands as a pioneer within the coaching sphere, not only instructing men but also serving as a powerful source of inspiration for women engaged in Iranian sports. Ardalan’s dedicated pursuit of enhanced coaching expertise during her time in Japan further underscores her significant ambition and deep commitment to the sport, effectively forging a path for future generations of female coaches in Iran and on a broader international stage. Her proactive engagement in acquiring advanced coaching techniques overseas highlights her visionary leadership and steadfast dedication to elevating Iranian sports on a global scale..
From: varzesh3