Mehrajuddin Wadoo takes charge of India U-17 as Blue Colts begin preparations for AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Malaysia.
Kolkata, September 2: Few days after leaving Mohammedan Sporting Club’s coaching duty, Mehrajuddin Wadoo has already found his next challenge. The former India international has been appointed by the All India Football Federation as the head coach of the India U-17 men’s national team.
Wadoo, 42, took charge of the Blue Colts as their preparatory camp began in Margao, Goa, from today. After spending the recent period with one of Kolkata’s historic clubs, where he went through his share of ups and downs, Wadoo now moves into a completely different role, having experienced the pressure and demands of one of the country’s historic clubs, now he is going to developing the young footballers who could become the future of Indian football.
The AFC Pro Licence holder has experience of coaching at club level, having previously worked as the head coach of Real Kashmir FC and Sudeva Delhi FC before taking charge of Mohammedan Sporting. His latest assignment, however, brings a different kind of responsibility, with the focus now on building a national youth team for the upcoming continental qualifiers.
India have been drawn in Group E of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 11 to 20. The Blue Colts will face hosts Malaysia along with Palestine, Singapore and Guam.
The preparations have already started in Goa, with the current camp also being used to assess players through trials. Wadoo’s immediate task will be to put together a strong squad and prepare the young players for the challenge that awaits them in Malaysia.
For Wadoo, the new assignment also takes him back to the national setup, but this time from the other side of the touchline. As a player, he represented the Indian national team and was part of the squad that won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008. He later represented India at the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.
His international career also included winning the SAFF Championship in 2005 and the Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009. At club level, he was part of the Chennaiyin FC team that won the Indian Super League title in 2015.
Now, after years of experiencing Indian football as a player and coach, Wadoo gets an opportunity to work with the country’s youngsters. His recent journey with Mohammedan Sporting may have come to an end, but another important chapter has already begun.
Wadoo described the new responsibility as a great honour and said the U-17 age group is an important stage for the development of Indian football. He stressed that his immediate focus will be on creating the right environment for the young players to develop and compete at the highest level. With the preparatory camp already underway and trials taking place, Wadoo is looking forward to working with the players and preparing the team in the best possible manner for the upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Blue Colts are his new responsibility, and the first target is clear, preparing India for the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers while helping shape the young players who could go on to carry Indian football forward.
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