--- title: "Meet SMFA's Certified Football Coaches in South Mumbai" description: "Train with AFC and AIFF licensed coaches at SMFA. Our football mentors focus on technique, discipline, and grassroots development in South Mumbai. Join the family." canonical: https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/meet-the-mentors-our-certified-coaching-team last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # Meet Our Certified Football Coaching Team Tribe Verified · AFC and AIFF certified coaching team By [South Mumbai Football Academy](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy) · Camps at academy in Grant Road, across Mumbai, and SESA Academy in Goa · ₹9,500 per month (estimate) Part of [Residential & Summer Football Camps](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/gallery) 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. ## Photos and videos - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/45fb15b9-3379-4ba9-8c1c-aa512276e392) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d320074-ebc2-4edd-9c6e-eff5b88b68ff) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8abf2070-b5c0-4f13-abf1-3677a250ef81) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/da7b080d-595f-4d04-b640-6008141b688a) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a814057b-9557-4182-9f08-ca3fad980f76) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6965519-0252-4fff-8073-bd7d20caab34) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4aba6d3e-0358-4bb2-8aac-36f231e08c98) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3865f346-9c0a-47da-9fd2-0efad534035f) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5b42ce25-e3c9-4cbc-b90f-aa717161faa1) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8059b845-1517-413f-a463-b64d0305f555) - [Video: Our Head Coach, Suraj Jaiswal, reflects on our journey as we celebrate two years of building a strong football community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5fecfa57-9c11-436b-b3b1-8eea7cf5d9ff) - ![Introducing our founder, Mr. Atul Sagathia, an AIFF 'D' Licensed coach and the driving force behind our academy's vision.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c3b37cfa-2c33-4233-889c-8e0ff322254f) - ![Meet Mr. Manan Rathod, one of our dedicated AIFF 'D' Licensed coaches committed to developing young talent.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/36cb47eb-63be-441b-9734-e7e19c246bcd) - ![Introducing Mr. Neeraj Jaiswal, another of our expert AIFF 'D' Licensed coaches who inspires our players to achieve excellence.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89d58ae2-1a35-4c66-a516-e7ac30dad8d9) - ![Our coaches are the heart of SMFA. They are mentors who guide our players with passion and expertise every single day.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5e003e7c-4be4-42e2-b004-e1b8017b939f) - ![A portrait of one of our dedicated coaches, whose guidance shapes the skill and character of our young athletes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d7320221-4a26-4614-9137-7caa77dc7d2d) - ![The smiling face of mentorship at SMFA. Our coaches build positive relationships with players to foster growth and confidence.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bc81aa1a-a2b6-423a-9a74-e7dcf65ae52f) - ![Coach Arsalan Ansari on the training ground, ready to lead another session with his trademark energy and dedication.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5afb167f-7db0-4fb2-90cf-e123f4dc7f5e) - ![A group photo from the AFC Beach Soccer Coaching Course, where our Head Coach became the first certified beach soccer coach in Maharashtra.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2add0bea-c4ea-4a5e-b6de-fa4852ad7e14) ## 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. ## About South Mumbai Football Academy We are the SMFA family. Our coaches are mentors first and trainers second, committed to building character as much as we build football skills. We believe that behind every great player is a guide who pushes them, holds them accountable, and treats them like family. [See all of South Mumbai Football Academy's services](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy) ## More from Residential & Summer Football Camps by South Mumbai Football Academy - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/featured) - [The Goa Residential Camp Experience](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/the-goa-residential-camp-experience) - [On-Field Training: Grit & Technique](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/on-field-training-grit-technique) - [Our Coaching Philosophy: Building Smarter Players](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/our-coaching-philosophy-building-smarter-players) - [Strategic Partnership: SMFA x SESA](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/strategic-partnership-smfa-x-sesa) - [The SMFA Family: More Than a Team](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/residential-summer-football-camps/the-smfa-family-more-than-a-team) ## More services by South Mumbai Football Academy - [Football Academy & Training](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/football-academy-training) - [Football Team Selection Trials](https://mytribe.in/southmumbaifootballacademy/football-team-selection-trials) ## Similar work from other experts - [Meet the Expert Coaches Driving SG5 Football Academy](https://mytribe.in/sg5fa/youth-football-academy/meet-our-expert-coaches) by SG5 Football Academy · Youth Football Academy · Training at 9 academy centers across Mumbai - [AIFF Certified Football Coaches](https://mytribe.in/mumbaivikingsfootballacademy/youth-football-academy/meet-the-mentors-our-aiff-coaches) by Mumbai Vikings · Youth Football Academy · Trains at 4 turfs across Dombivli - [Expert Football Coaching Team in Mumbai](https://mytribe.in/lemonbreaksports_official/youth-football-academy/meet-our-expert-coaching-team) by Lemon Break Sports · Youth Football Academy · Training at 5 grounds across Mumbai & Thane; Open to players across Mumbai Metropolitan Area - [Expert Football Coaches in Mira-Bhayander](https://mytribe.in/origensportsacademy/youth-football-training-programs/our-expert-coaches-mentors) by OriGen Sports Academy · Youth Football Training Programs · Training at 2 locations in Mira Road East, Mira Bhayandar - [Meet the Coaches: AIFF-Licensed Football Mentors](https://mytribe.in/footballacademyofnavi_mumbai/summer-football-camp/meet-the-coaches-your-mentors) by FANM · Summer Football Camp · 5 locations across Navi Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Area - [Our Football Coaching Team: Built on AFC Expertise](https://mytribe.in/sseindia/elite-player-pathway-program/behind-the-whistle-our-expert-coaching-team) by SSE Soccer Schools · Elite Player Pathway Program · Training grounds at Nariman Point & Bandra West; Available across Mumbai ## Book To book South Mumbai Football Academy, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20interested%20in%20training%20at%20SMFA.%20Can%20I%20speak%20to%20a%20coach%20about%20the%20program%20and%20which%20batch%20would%20fit%20me%3F) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. 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