The SAP Conference now for the Indian clubs

If Europe has the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea, the Airtel I-Leagues have names such as Bengaluru FC and Pune FC; something that a football enthusiast in India would reckon with it. These clubs have really done well, in the domestic circuit. However, in order to heighten the sport in India, these clubs will now also be provided with SAP training.

Intricacies such as fan engagement, players scouting and club operations, will now be taken care of, by the newly introduced SAP solutions. The recently conducted SAP program saw the participation of the Indian members as well. The CEO of the Airtel I-League Sunando Dhar along with Head of Operations of Pune FC Chirag Tanna and CEO of Bengaluru FC Mustafa Ghouse were the representatives from Airtel I-League. The Managing Director of SAP India, had an interview with the media recently, where he spoke about the benefits of the SAP program and how the Indian football, would benefit from the same. “One of the key technologies showcased by SAP is around Player Performance Management. It includes a chip technology, from Fraunhofer Institute embedded in the shin guards and Jersey of Players as well as inside the Football. These sensors push live position and acceleration data into SAP’s revolutionary in-memory platform SAP HANA, which in real-time calculates Player and Team performance. Some of the metrics shown are Average Ball Contact Time, Average Distance run, Burst Speed of Players, Ball Possession etc.” It must be a heart-warming sight for the AIFF President Praful Patel, who would be welcoming these changes in the Indian football, with open arms. The SAP process also takes care of other features of football that include merchandising, E-commerce and accounting.

The German Bundesliga has been using the same process, for several years now. The league has been executing SAP for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Sunando Dhar stated that the whole SAP process will educated Indian football, on how technology can be used in football, at various levels. He also said that it is indeed a proud moment for the Indian football, since the nation will be on the same page with the top football clubs of the world, who are using this technology. Probably, the I-Leagues are going in the right direction, keeping in mind the road ahead. Especially, with prestigious international events around the corner, it is important that India stay abreast with the technological solutions, associated with the game. It would not only provide scalable solutions, but will also help the players, to better their game, is what Dhar said.

The NCP Leader will indeed chalk out all measures, to bring this technology to India. Probably, we already see a SAP in offing. To back the desires of Indian football, Dhar said that the whole SAP program is being experimented in India with some of the Airtel I-League Clubs. This has to be done, before SAP finally makes it to India.

The cricket lovers in India would have generally witnessed the BCCI flooded with technology, including the DRS, the Hawk-Eye and more. It isn’t surprising to see such high-end technology being used, for the number one sport of the nation. It also signifies that a lot of homework needs to be done, off the field. Per se football, once the SAP process comes to India, it would also help the players, to understand their body and game in a better way, thereby leading to the overall development for the sport. Praful Patel’s contributions, like always, will play a sheet anchor role, in this regards as well. Probably, his views regarding this technology will be of much importance.

Apart from the players, even the trainers and coaches, would be making optimum use of SAP. For instance, based on these analyses, trainers would develop new ways to enhance the game of the players. Capability characteristics, such as acceleration, speed and ball contacts would be calculated in real time for individual players or the whole team and visualized via an easily configurable user interface.

This data is used to personalize training to strategically target the strengths and weaknesses of each player and help create the most effective training plan feasible.

Our Heavy Industries Minister would be travelling to a few countries this year, to bring home the rights to host the Club championships, to be held in 2015-16. For more Praful Patel information, follow him on his social networking sites such as Facebook, Google+, and YouTube.