South Asian Heritage Month: Sokii Abbas
To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month 2024, we are interviewing several referees, coaches and players from South Asian backgrounds across the grassroots game in West Riding.
Up next is Sokii Abbas, current coach of Farsley Celtic and formerly of Route One Rovers and Silsden AFC.
Tell us about how and why you got involved in coaching football?
I have a passion for the game and always had, up till the age of 14, I would try to be involved, but then around that time, I ended up fully relying on a wheelchair to get around. I decided I still wanted to be involved in some capacity and coaching was something that always reached out to me. I was fascinated by different styles and methods, so I started getting involved in coaching and getting my badges, and then it slowly grew into something I wanted to be involved in.
What do you enjoy about coaching football?
Just the opportunity of helping players develop and get better. I would say that is the most rewarding part of coaching, seeing players learn and perform. Of course, also being on the grass, I don’t think there’s anything better than that.
What is your best memory of coaching?
My best memory would have to be achieving an unbeaten league season with Route One Rovers. To go a season unbeaten at any level is difficult, but to do it in a season where the club was planning on going up to semi-professional football was amazing.
What do you want to achieve in coaching football?
I think for every player, coach and club, the goal is always to climb up the pyramid. But more than that, my journey has allowed me to be seen as someone who chased it, not giving up on a goal. This is the story of life anyway. It's all about that fighting spirit, whatever the scenario, whether it's football or in a day-to-day job.
What are the biggest obstacles you have faced in coaching football?
Non-league has got its challenges, I'll be honest, but it’s nothing against the clubs. You go to grounds and sometimes the dugouts aren't great - there'll be a step into the dugout or something - little things like that. Sometimes there's no access to the changing rooms, so you'll have to go another way around. But I understand it, these grounds have been here maybe even 100 years, so I can't expect everything to be accessible, teams are learning along the way. Clubs are learning a lot and it's one of these things, I do go to some grounds and teams will be like 'Oh, we haven't had this before, do you need this and that?' But the football community is a very family community and I do see a lot of people trying their upmost best to improve the facilities.
Who’s had the biggest influence in your coaching career and why?
I’ve had the chance of being around so many top coaches, and they’ve all had an influence on me. But if I had to pick one, I would say José Mourinho. He was amazing to me and spent a lot of time helping me on my journey.
What advice would you give to people wishing to get involved in coaching football?
Go for it. It’s one of the best fields to go into. One of best advice I was given is about being patient, success does not come overnight and neither does improvement it is a process and takes time to get results.