Courtesy: Futsal On Line


Argentine VP Catelani Says Team will Accept Invitation to Kauai Tournament

By Tim Sheldon

KAUAI, Hawaii (3-19-09) - Argentina's top Futsal official said the team will attend an international Futsal tournament in Kauai July 17-18, 2010.

Mauricio Catelani, Vice President for Futsal for the Argentine Football Assn. (AFA), was preparing to leave with the team for a pair of friendlies in Brazil March 22-23 when he said in a telephone interview that he would accept the invitation to bring the team to Kauai.

The tournament is being organized by Jorge Bordt, former vice president for marketing for the U.S. Minisoccer Federation. Bordt said he met Catelani at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil and laid the groundwork for Argentina's participation in the Kauai tourney.

Bordt, who is a tennis professional and part-owner of the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club in Kauai, said China, Japan, Thailand and Brazil would also be invited to send teams. Bordt said a Futsal court and viewing stands will be in place at the club to accommodate the tournament.

Catelani said he would probably bring a young team to Kauai, similar to the one that will play March 22 in San Bernardo do Campo and March 23 in Playa Grande, Brazil. About 40 million viewers are expected to tune in the Brazil matches on O Globo T.V.

Catelani said that although Argentine Futsal is not as well organized as it is in Brazil, it is growing at a healthy pace.

Buenos Aires has an annual tournament for 7,000 youth players, who all belong to clubs. He said they just voted to use a smaller, lighter ball for the younger players. The AFA launched a special school for Futsal coaches three years ago.

All of the great Argentine outdoor players have grown up playing Futsal, although the youth program not as formal as in Brazil.

"We probably will have a good draw of players," he said, "since world Futsal is in the off-season."

The best Argentine players are mostly in Spain and Italy, and they'll be available. The AFA started a new rebuilding process with the national team following the 2008 Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

"It's a complete rebuilding process," Catelani said.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com