PANAJI: Goa’s Shashwat Kamat has taken another major step in his football career, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) as a Performance Analyst at the club’s Category 1 Academy, the highest classification in England’s academy system.
Kamat’s journey from FC Goa to England, via Queens Park Rangers (QPR), is a story of ambition and perseverance, and comes at a time when Indian football is facing a difficult phase. For Kamat, the move marks a major milestone in a journey that began when he was just 16, when he joined his “dream club” FC Goa. “This personally is a big, big milestone to me where I’ve made sure that I achieve my goals and dreams step by step,” Kamat said.
“When I was 16, I had the opportunity to join my dream club, FC Goa, and that’s where the dream began because the people there made it all possible and pushed me to the highest limits. I learned a lot there, and it made me very happy,” he added. His subsequent move to England gave him firsthand experience of a football development system he believes is far more structured than India’s. “In India we say that we focus on the grassroots, but none of it is true. Here, since I’ve been in QPR, I have seen how players are developed under rigid conditions as well as how their progress is monitored every day and every week,” he said.
Kamat said player development in England extends beyond technical and physical performance. Young players have regular one-on-one meetings to discuss their progress and access to psychologists who work with them on mental wellbeing. “A lot of care is being taken for these respective players, which is something you wouldn’t see in India,” he said. He also highlighted the difference in resources and specialisation. “In comparison to both, you can definitely say that there is much more money in the football industry here as compared to in India. Here we have different departments looking after player performance, player identification and player analysis, but in India a single person has to do this same job,” Kamat said.
At Wolves, his work begins well before matchday. He studies upcoming opponents, prepares detailed reports on their playing style, strengths and weaknesses, and uses the analysis to help shape training sessions. “Typically, at the start of the week, we evaluate which opponent we are going up against. We have an opposition report which helps us understand how they play and what certain tactics we can use against them to beat them,” he explained. His work also includes set-piece analysis and post-match reviews, with findings used to identify areas for improvement and assess positive moments.
Kamat believes India has considerable talent that could succeed in football-related careers abroad but lacks awareness and accessible pathways. “India has a lot of amazing talent and potential who can make it big abroad,” he said. “There were a few people who I myself learnt this from, so imagine if they had the opportunity to go abroad and do what I am doing, they would definitely be the flag bearers of the country.”
He identified the lack of specialised education as a major hurdle. Unfortunately, there are no specific courses in terms of study in Performance Analysis as well as Sports Science. The field of performance analysis is so isolated in India that nobody has ever heard about it or knows what it is all about,” he said. For youngsters who want careers in football without becoming professional players, Kamat believes there are plenty of opportunities. “The dreams can definitely come true even if it’s not as a professional player but as a professional analyst or a person in the coaching staff,” he said.
Kamat left India in 2024 and believes the difficulties surrounding Indian football make international exposure increasingly important. “Football has had a major decline due to the political perspectives at the Federation, and that’s been something that has caused a lot of problems and controversy,” he said. However, he sees his move as an opportunity to showcase Indian talent globally. “I think me going and getting a role in England, where football is worshipped, puts out an idea that people should escape their comfort zone and showcase their talent on the global stage,” Kamat said.
For the Goan, representing Goa at an elite English academy carries special significance. “Being the only Goan right now working in performance analysis at a Category 1 Academy, which is the highest rating for academies worldwide, it helps me put out the dream that we can always achieve what we want to,” he said. Kamat hopes his journey inspires youngsters to explore careers in sport beyond playing. “Me achieving this goal also makes sure that every student out there can get in this field and do his or her best and reach the top,” he said. “If I can do well, they can do better and way better.” From FC Goa at 16 to QPR and now Wolves, Kamat’s journey shows that the path into elite football can extend well beyond the pitch.
