PANAJI: Vinay Menon first encountered football and Britain nearly 14 years ago when he entered the dressing room of one of London's wealthiest football clubs. Menon's career as a wellness consultant and coach has taken him from the small village of Cherai near Kochi to the backroom staff of Chelsea FC and then to the Belgium national team, which is ranked number one in the world.
His mantra has been straightforward. My occupation was to help players unwind and make the changing area more charming," said Menon, who has now taken up a warning job with the All India Football League (AIFF) for worldwide coordinated efforts. " As a football expert and private cabin staff, arriving at the World Cup (with the Belgium group at FIFA 2022) is the encapsulation of the pyramid, that as well, to address the world's highest level side," Menon told TOI during a new occasion to Goa.
Panaji: Drogba was the first to adopt Menon's methods. Vinay Menon, a 49-year-old wellness consultant and coach, has taken on an advisory role with the AIFF for global collaborations. He has met some of the best football players in the world, including Didier Drogba, Mo Salah, Eden Hazard, and Kevin De Bruyne, and he is a trusted friend of many superstars. For a nation of over 1.4 billion individuals, the 49-year-old is the main Indian to have accomplished such accomplishments.
Be that as it may, any place he has gone, one thing has been consistent. For what reason does the most crowded country have such a modest positioned football crew that isn't even among the best 100?
"I have had numerous in-depth discussions with players. They wish to support and advance football. I figure a few well known names can come here and persuade the children," said Menon, who himself tumbled into the universe of football while working in Dubai.
"In India, you must first persuade the parents that you can earn money outside of engineering, medicine, and government jobs. Reassurance is needed that sports are not just a way to get into engineering colleges; they are also a profession. In the event that you are gifted, you will procure beyond twofold in a brief time frame," said Menon.
Menon was slowly drawn into the football world while working as a wellness consultant in Dubai. He was asked if he would move to London by a long-time client and relative of Chelsea's former owner, Roman Abramovich. Menon stated, "I had no idea that Abramovich was a billionaire from Russia and owned Chelsea FC." I had no clue about world football, so this was a totally new world to me."
football match (AI image) In this new world, superstar striker Didier Drogba was the first to adopt his new strategies. The other players began to accept his ideas after the Chelsea legend gave his approval. He quickly became an essential member of the team, a journey that led to unparalleled success, including three Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies.
As a wellness coach, one of my responsibilities is to assist players in relaxing. People open up when they relax, and if you think about the problem, there will probably be a solution. The arrangement ought to constantly come from your own space. You need to see what is best for yourself. Menon stated, "I work to make the dressing room more enjoyable."