SMILEY TO COACH IN INDIA

From Lenasia Times (Ocotber 2010):

Smiley Moosa of Federation fame off to India for coaching
by Iqbal Gaffoor

"Ismail 'Smiley' Moosa, a veteran wizard of football and a maestro of the heydays of Federation Professional football has just been invited to coach youngsters in Mumbai next month for about four weeks.

This all started during the WORLD CUP that was hosted here in South Africa, where, during that time, former Federation Footballers were profiled by the various print and electronic media. A great personality like Moosa was also highlighted amongst other veteran footballers.

He also appeared on Al Jazeera and ESPN, where he spoke about soccer issues and snippets of Federation football.

During that time, he also spke to French and Italian members of coaching staff.

Then, one day, he received a call from a Sports Journalist of the Indian Express, Ulak NP and another genmtleman by the name of Riaz. These two men made an appointment with Smiley to visit as they have heard so much about this former great 'Indian' footballer who resides in Laudium. Someone in Cape Town (from horseracing fraternity) gave them his details.

On visiting him, and having discussions with him about football, Smiley was ready to make his daily trip to the soccer fields to coach youngsters.

These two men wanted to know more about Smiley and requested to join him at the training session.
After that, they were so impressed with Smiley that they requested a second meeting, only to come with photographic and recording equipment so that they could take this info home and get Smiley to come over for coaching.

Since after the World Cup finals, Smiley had not heard anything until 17 October when he received a call from the sports writer, who then informed him that they have secured a sponsor in India and their plan is to get Smiley over to Mumbai.

Smiley will be stationed at Wintage FC where he will coach footballers at that Academy, and, will also coach in other areas.

He will also be there during a massive festival on 17 November where a big match has been planned between Bayern Munich and East Bengal.

The Academy's head coach happens to be a friend of Smiley... Bobby Houghton.

Moosa, who was born in Marabastad in 1952, started playing prefessional soccer at 17 for Aces in Durban under Harry Lala, and later signed for Berea where he made a name for himself, and became amongst the best in the country. His wizardry as a footballer is still much talked about. He carries his age exceptionally well, and today, he still coaches kids in Laudium.

His talent and ability to coach is quite phenomenal!"

Just wondering: if Smiley was an African black, would the industry have dared treat him the way they did?

Maybe an oblique question..... but merit in its being raised!

that sounds like he has finally landed his dream job .now we can look for a real race caller. thank goodness

Just an update from Smiley

He is just waiting for sponsor to confirm his trip to India for a month

As far as the court case "no judge" on Monday, new judge for this Friday

He will keep us posted

@scotia:

The thing that bugs me about the Smiley case is: as much as he is lauded as a soccer wizard, he is even more passionate about commentating.

For most people, there are some things money just cannot buy; there are those who (in Smiley's shoes) would rather negotiate a hefty coaching contract than earn (comparatively) peanuts, abuse & cynical comments as a horseracing comentator!

He is a good talented man who deserves a break in life for what he has been through, you would think that just to have had one of his skills you would be blessed in life :S
He is now "58" and still struggles to find a decent job, I have no idea how he can still play with a ball the way he does?
I wish him all the best