Skip to main content

Futsal gaining widespread popularity

 .

OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar launching the Milo Hidup Bola Junior Futsal carnival yesterday. Pic by Rosela Ismail

WITH football's hopes of being included in the Commonwealth Games looking slim at best, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar believes futsal would be the perfect substitute for the most popular sport on earth.

With widespread appeal on its side, Tunku Imran said the indoor sport would be an ideal addition to the Games due to its short period of play and the relatively low cost needed to host it in such competitions.
"African countries have long lobbied for football to be included as part of the Commonwealth Games, however, have not been successful," said Tunku Imran after officiating the launch of the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival at OCM Hotel yesterday.

"As the Games is only an 11-day affair it would not be long enough to host a football competition but futsal, due to its univerisality and short time period, is a good alternative."

Tunku Imran, who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia president, added that in order to have the Games included, the sport's governing bodies which are the same as those for football, need to get it recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation by further popularising futsal.

"I think that the people in football may not be placing enough emphasis on the sport (futsal) as they could.

"With proper marketing, futsal can be as big as any sport in the world as it already has a strong appeal.
"Through this, we can look at including it as part of the Commonwealth Youth Games which would be a good stepping stone to it being later added to the full Games."

Meanwhile, Tunku Imran said he was delighted with the increasing popularity that the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival had continued to enjoy over the years.

The under-12 and under-16 nationwide tournament, which is already in its eighth edition this year, has attracted a record 1,400 teams involving 11,000 junior players last year.

Organisers of the event are expecting a five to 10 per cent increase in participation this year with the event ready to accommodate up to 1,600 teams this season.

The competition, which offers a cash prize of RM15,000 in the form of account savings books for the overall winners, will kick off at state-level competition on March 9. The top 64 teams at state level will then qualify for the grand finals in Ampang, Selangor on July 7.

Teams interested in registering for the event can visit www.syoknyasukan.com for more information. By Fadhli Ishak

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...
2 comments
Read more

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...
1 comment
Read more

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...
2 comments
Read more