By FPDC Staff
FootballPakistan.com caught up with Pakistani trainer Babar Rehman, who is currently coaching at Swedish side Vasalunds IF and aims to make a name for himself in football.
FPDC: When did you start football?
BR: I always loved games. I moved to Sweden when I was 7 and I found a team when I was 9.
FPDC: Was it easy to get into football with Pakistani parents?
BR: Yes. My father used to play In Peshawar and all my 4 brothers have played football too.
FPDC: Did you play yourself, if yes when and where?
BR: I played in several teams. As a junior in IF Brommapojkarna and Djurgårdens IF, both of which have great youth/junior teams and their senior teams play in highest Swedish level: the Allsvenskan.
FPDC: What is you biggest achievement?
BR: I think its still to come.
FPDC: What aims in life do you have?
BR: To go as high as I can with football.
FPDC: What do you know about Pakistani football?
BR: I join Lahore-based team Model Town FC every year when I go to Lahore. Their skill is not great but they have good organization and a lot of players aged between 7-18 years.
FPDC: Any advice for players looking to become professionals?
BR: Will power is the most important. They say if you practice (play/watch) soccer 10 000 hours you will be a player. Most of players stop before that and most of it in ages between 18-20.
Its difficult to survive monetarily and parents pressure you to concentrate on studies or start work. If study and focus on training and get through this tough age 18-21 you have big chance to become a good player. But you need patient as everything does not work out as you want (injuries, placed on bench etc). But be stubborn and work. Everyone gets a chance sooner or later. You have to be ready when you get it.
Another advice to become a player is to practice a lot and start young when you are 4-5 years old. If you start earlier, you have a better chance to reach the 10 000 hours of practice, but of course here you need support from parents.