PANJIM: Sixteen teams across the State will battle it out in the Futsal Championship, organised by the Futsal Association of Goa (FAG), which kicks off today.
The five-day tournament will be played simultaneously in North and South Goa at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim and Fr Agnel Ashram, Basketball court, Verna, respectively with matches beginning from 6:30 p.m.
The following teams –Vailankanni Boys Merces, Ritu Boys, Steet Footballers, Pogo Boys, King’s 5, M7, Parra Boys, Espanyol FC, Vailankanni Boys Margao, Black Mambas, Silent Assasins, Varca Warriors, Lazy Boys, La Masia, Holy Spirit Boys and 5 Souls will embark on a five-day tussle to determine Goa’s best futsal side and win cash prize worth Rs 1 lakh.
The semi-finals will be played on November 17 at both the venues at 8 p.m. with Group A toppers playing Group B toppers.
The mega final will be held at Fr Agnel Ashram, Basketball court, Verna on November 18 with winners of North Goa playing winners of South Goa with the match kicking off at 8pm.
The five-a-side game gained rapid popularity throughout India at the Premier Futsal League 2016 earlier this year. Going forward, the Futsal Association of Goa will look to boost Futsal fever in Goa with the belief that it would benefit the future of Goan Football.
“Let us together try to inculcate the interest of futsal in our kids, so we continue to produce more and more players for Indian football team,” said Benjamin Silva, chief guest and president of Futsal Association of Goa (FAG).
Benjamin, whose eyes light up at the merest mention of the game, is already dreaming of expansion: a national team, school competitions, even bringing a Futsal World Cup to Goa shores. Nothing falls outside his realms of possibility.
“Futsal is not so popular in Goa. But we are attempting to widen its base in Goa. All our members are eager to develop Futsal. During my early days I played football. I loved Football. I believe that through Futsal we can promote football at the highest level. This is just the beginning of a new chapter. I wish everybody who loves football should be a part of Futsal. Through Futsal we can make big players. I appeal to parents and all to support this event,” said Benjamin.
“We first begin with the school programmes. We have spoken to the Sports Department and we plan to have training for coaches. Our main programme is grass root development of Futsal. Currently we are looking out for grounds. We may start using the schools grounds. Maybe we will have to go the school halls but that is how we will start,” informed Peter Coutinho secretary, Futsal Association of Goa.
The Futsal Association of Goa is registered under Futsal Association of India and AMF (Association Mundial De Futsal, the governing body of Futsal). Futsal Association of Goa is backed by SAG and DSYA.
