Shameel Chembakath rose from Kerala’s grassroots to bigger arenas of Indian football. He sharpened young talent at Kerala Blasters, led Hyderabad FC’s reserves, and even steadied the senior team as interim ISL boss. Each step showed steady growth and clear impact. Now he takes charge of the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) U-19 team in Navi Mumbai. This new chapter could shape the future of Indian football.
Sport On caught up with Coach Shameel for an exclusive chat about his coaching philosophy, challenges, and what it takes to build champions from the ground up.
Congratulations on your appointment. What motivated you to accept the head-coach position at Reliance Foundation Young Champs, and how does this role align with your long-term coaching philosophy?
The Reliance Foundation Young Champs program has an incredible track record of fostering young talent and providing opportunities for the next generation of football players in India.
What motivated me to accept this position was the incredible opportunity to work with a dedicated team of young players, to develop their talent, and to help them reach their full potential. I believe that my long-term coaching philosophy aligns perfectly with the mission of RFYC. When presented with the opportunity to become a part of this project, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to use my skills, experience, and passion to contribute to the growth of the sport in our country. My coaching philosophy has always been about developing not just players, but young adults who are committed to excellence both on and off the pitch.
Having worked extensively with Kerala Blasters’ youth set-ups and Hyderabad FC’s reserve and senior teams, what specific learnings will you transpose to the RFYC Under-19 programme?
My experience with Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC has given me valuable insights into the youth development process and the challenges that young players face as they transition from academy to professional levels. I will bring this knowledge and expertise to RFYC to help shape our program and support the player’s growth.
Your coaching style is often described as “player-centric”. Could you elaborate on the individual development plans you envisage for your new cohort?
Player centric coaching means tailoringour approach to the individual needs of each player. At RFYC, we want to support the growth of our players in every aspect of their game, not just technically and tactically, but also mentally, physically and socially. We have comprehensive development plans for each player, taking into their strengths, weaknesses, goals, and preferred learning styles. These plans will be regularly evaluated and updated, allowing us to tune our approach and maximize each player’s potential.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to aspiring young footballers who view RFYC as a pathway to professional football in India and abroad?
I believe , RFYC offers a great opportunity to develop a player’s skills, learn from experienced coaches, and grow as a player and a person. But this journey will be challenging, and it will require hard work, commitment, and sacrifice.
As Indian football continues to search for reliable pathways for young talent, Coach Shameel Chembakath stands out. Indeed, he offers both experience and vision. His focus now is on moulding RFYC’s next generation. His coaching journey has taken a positive turn and entered its most impactful phase. Sport On will track his progress closely. Every fan who cares about the future of Indian football should do the same. This Shameel Chembakath interview highlights why he stands out as both experienced and visionary.
More about RFYC
Founded in 2015, RFYC is one of India’s only two residential academies with a five-star rating from the All India Football Federation and a two-star badge from the Asian Football Confederation. Its Navi Mumbai campus houses 90 scholar-athletes who balance classroom education with on-pitch training using cutting-edge sport science. Recent honours include an AIFF Junior League title (2024) and a berth at the Premier League Next Gen Cup. These results show that the programme is designed for elite growth.
