Idman.biz
"We have more than 100 children in our school. Training sessions are held every day for different age groups."
This was stated by Nihad Alasgarov, the founder of the "Konyaspor" football school operating in Baku, in an interview with AZERTAC.
He spoke about the activities, plans and goals of the football school.
We present that interview:
- Could you give information about yourself...
- I lived in Istanbul, Turkey. There I played football in the lower age groups of "Kuştepe" and "Beşiktaş". After getting injured, I ended my football career. During that time, I participated in the filming of several TV series. Then I started coaching in Turkey. I came to Azerbaijan in 2020 and have been continuing my coaching activities here since then.
- How did the initiative to create a football school come about?
- I have gained opportunities to get acquainted with football people in Turkey. I have friendly and cooperative relations with "Beşiktaş", "Galatasaray" and "Fenerbahçe" from the teams there. I recently sent some of our players to Turkey for selection. I had been thinking about opening a football school in Azerbaijan for 3-4 months. The hospitality of the people of Konya and the conditions of the "Konyaspor" academy there greatly impressed me. In 2014, Konya Stadium was included in the list of the five best arenas in the world. All this was a great source of inspiration for me. We contacted the club officials and they welcomed us at a high level.
- How many children are currently training at the school?
- We have more than 100 children in our school. Training sessions are held every day for different age groups.
- What are your future goals for the school?
- Our main goal is to send the players raised here to the brother country. We have an official football school and a certain system. We are creating a football gate to Turkey for local football players. Through our connections, it is possible to create transfer opportunities there by sending talented players to Turkey.
- Is there a player exchange with "Konyaspor" planned in the future?
- We don't have such a plan right now. We have some problems in children's football. Some players are physically lagging behind. I am not saying that Turkish football is superior to us, but they are ahead in some areas. There is also a stadium problem in Azerbaijan. Our goal is to send players to Turkey from here, not from there. I carefully evaluate the potential of each player and compare him with football players in Turkey. This does not mean that a football player who plays well here will also play at a high level there. Therefore, we carefully analyze the players.
- You will participate in the tournament to be held in Konya from January 19 to 23. What other tournaments are coming up?
- We may also participate in a tournament in March. But it has not been confirmed yet. First of all, we will participate in tournaments in Turkey, and then we will talk about other opportunities and plans.
- Do you have any ideas to bring the main team of "Konyaspor" to Baku?
- The opening of our school was 2-3 months ago and the director of the club was here at that time. During our trip to Konya this month, they presented us with signed forms of the main team. We are planning to invite them to Baku. It would be great if they accept.
