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7 March 2003

We have a very busy few months ahead as we prepare for both the Asian Cup and pre-Olympic qualifiers, not to mention a trip to Northern Ireland to take part in the high-profile Milk Cup tournament.

Our first port of call is Hong Kong where we are due to play a friendly before taking a flight to Beijing. This is the only way to get into North Korea for our Asian Cup qualifier - and the flights from China are only twice a week.

The North Koreans will pose a formidable test for us as they are a highly disciplined side and play some good football.

I had the opportunity to see them play in the Kings Cup in Thailand recently and they looked a very physical side. So we will have to be at out best. Hopefully we can turn in a good performance to set up the return leg in Goa on 30 March.

Straight after that we're off to Turkmenistan with the U-23s/ Olympic team. The away leg is on 5 April and we host the Turkmens in Goa two weeks later. Malaysia await the winners in the second round.

In June, I'm off to Malaysia for a national coaches' course, and then to England to take part in the Pro Licence course for a week. I am delighted to have been given this opportunity. I'm a firm believer that the learning process never ends and I am sure I'll be able to pick up lots of new ideas.

Also in June, I'll be gathering together our youngsters for the trip to Northern Ireland to take on some really top class opposition. It will be an amazing experience for them.

The squad travelling to Northern Ireland will be selected from our U-17s and we have also been promised a few games with some Premier League Academy sides. This is exactly what our young Indian players need and the experience will be invaluable for their football education.

That takes me up to August and our training camp begins as we return to Vietnam to defend the LG Cup, which we won so dramatically in the same country last year.

There is a possibility that the Afro-Asian games will be held inDelhi at the end of September. If that happens, there will not be a moment's breathing space until October! Lots to do and I'm loving every minute of it!

My best wishes to football lovers in every corner of this world. As I write this, events in Iraq are getting tenser by the day. Let us hope good sense prevails and there is no war.

Stephen