Zaan –Attaining success, one goal at a time. 

With grass under his cleats, and the determination in his heart, this promising young footballer shows to prove that success is no accident but a result of hard work. Building up a promising football career miles away in Spain at the young age of 19, Ismail Zaan is an inspiration for all young dreamers. 

Could you tell us how your journey started? 

I would say that it is in the bloodline, when I was about three, my uncles (Boduheena and Kudaheena) used to take me to ground when they play, at first mostly I’ll just stay there to watch and wouldn’t be that into playing but soon just grew fond of it. Even though my actual direct link into it might have been through the start of Early Touch football academy in 2004 by my uncle. 

How did you get directed towards international football?

It started through inter school football tournaments which led to the national team, I was included in the top five several times but since at the time there was an extreme lack chances in achieving a favorable football career in Maldives so at age 13 I moved to Manchester. I worked in Manchester for 4 years which gave way to admirable chances like getting to work with the current assistant coach of Manchester Michael Carrick, which gave way to go further.

Who is that one player you would take as a role model?

Ever since I was a kid, I have always admired Juan Mata and his style which also contributed to choosing Spain as my second step, but after I started playing in Spain I have come to esteem Sergi Roberto and his way of playing too.

How would you describe your adaptation into international football?

To me adapting to playing in a different climate was harder to adapt into, than playing itself. The hot weather here made it difficult for a sudden change into the winter in Manchester.

What would you say has been your biggest learning experience so far?

Every chance to play against the big and well trained teams is a chance to get a new experience, but playing against a number of accomplished players specified even in Atletico Madrid and winning the Mediterranean International competition as the captain of the team will be the experience that tops all of it so far.

A casual Training Day Timeline:

A normal training day for Zaan starts bright and early at 07:30 in the morning when he wakes up and gets ready for the day. This will be followed by travelling to training which starts at 09:30 which will last until 11:00. Immediately after this he runs to his classes which finish at 14:00 in the afternoon. After the hours of hustling he then takes a moment to lunch and rest to get him ready for the next in line, gym; Zaan spends an hour at the gym starting from 16:30. He then gets to the club trainings which take up his time until 22:00. Soon after this he heads back home to get enough rest to get him going strong the next day.

What is your view on the future of Maldivian football?

The Maldivian football faced a lot of challenges such as politics that caused its success to get a lot
diminished down; there are a lot of players in Maldives with the potential to reach higher though
recently we have been seeing some good signs, for example the younger national teams getting to play
against bigger teams abroad will certainly give them better experience which will lead them to perform
better for the team, could say that if this goes this way our teams will achieve more in a near future.

What exactly is #AAJEELAKAH?

Aajeelakah is a project that focuses on teaching Sports Psychology in Football for the younger players in
hope of bringing forward professional players who understand the tactics, rather the traditional way of
just making them practice physically. We started with 12 players at the beginning of this lockdown with
the help of Spanish coaches, and are glad to say that we are currently teaching 30 students online some
of them who are currently the players of the under 13 Maldivian national team.

Would we see you as a sport psychologist or a coach in the future?

I might coach for the younger teams so yes; chances are that I will be seen as a player coach rather than
a psychologist.

What is your advice to the younger players?

Mainly to do it with love and passion, to remember that it should not be taken as an easy sport and to
be willing to compromise when necessary and to be dedicated and committed through the journey,
however it maybe.

With hard work, determination and resilience, anyone can write their own success story much like Zaan.
All it takes is commitment and believing that you can, so you will.