Meet Our Certified Football Coaching Team
Behind every great player, there is a coach who pushed them harder. At SMFA, our mentors bring AFC and AIFF expertise to every training session.
Meet the architects of our academy. Our AFC and AIFF certified coaches explain our focus on youth development, mental toughness, and creating a clear pathway from grassroots to the senior team.
A collage celebrating our coaches. They are the mentors who instill discipline, resilience, and teamwork, shaping champions for life both on and off the field.
We celebrate our coaches' achievements. Congratulations to Coach Arsalan Ansari for earning his AFC ‘C’ License, raising the level of certified coaching at our academy.
We are proud to have a team of highly qualified mentors. Here, we celebrate four of our coaches achieving the AIFF ‘D’ License, a testament to our commitment to coaching excellence.
Congratulations to our Head Coach, Suraj Sir, on achieving the prestigious AFC ‘B’ License. His dedication to continuous learning inspires our players and elevates our training standards.
Our Head Coach, Suraj Jaiswal, is the first certified Beach Soccer Coach in Maharashtra. This specialized expertise allows us to offer unique training opportunities to our players.
Our Head Coach, Suraj Jaiswal, was part of the selection team for the Indian National Beach Soccer Senior Men’s Team. His involvement at the national level brings invaluable experience back to our academy.
A proud moment for the academy as our Head Coach, Suraj Jaiswal, was appointed Manager for Mumbai’s U15 Inter-District Football Team, showcasing our leadership in youth football development.
Our Head Coach, Suraj Sir, holding the WIFA Inter-District Junior Champions trophy. His leadership as Team Manager guided the Mumbai U15 district team to victory.
The victorious Mumbai U15 district team with our Head Coach, Suraj Sir. This win is a reflection of the high-level strategic guidance our coaches provide.
About Meet the Mentors: Our Certified Coaching Team
Our coaches don't just stand on the sidelines; they are actively shaping the local football ecosystem. With AFC and AIFF certifications and direct experience managing championship-winning district squads, they bring the exact tactical rigour used at the pro level to our grassroots training sessions.
At South Mumbai Football Academy, we believe the quality of your training depends entirely on the person holding the whistle. We don't employ trainers; we rely on mentors.
Why Certification Matters
Football is a game of fine margins. Our coaching staff, including AFC 'B' and 'C' license holders, ensures that even our youngest players learn the right mechanics from day one. Whether it is a directional first touch or defensive positioning, the technical foundation we provide is built on standardized coaching principles, not guesswork.
Leadership with Proven Pedigree
Our Head Coach, Suraj Jaiswal, sets the benchmark for our team. As Maharashtra’s first certified Beach Soccer Coach and a manager for Mumbai’s U15 district team, his experience goes beyond club-level training. He brings real-world exposure from the state and national circuit directly to our academy fields in South Mumbai. This isn't just about drill repetition; it is about strategic match preparation.
A Holistic Approach
Our team is led by founder Atul Sagathia and supported by coaches like Arsalan Ansari, Manan Rathod, and Neeraj Jaiswal. Every session follows a structured path—from grassroots development to advanced tactical workshops. We focus on the mind as much as the body, integrating nutrition and mental toughness into the curriculum. We are the SMFA family, and our coaches are the architects of the discipline, grit, and passion you see on our fields.
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