Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Futsal gaining popularity

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

By PHILIP LILOMO

FUTSAL is gaining popularity and is spreading to remote rural areas in the country.

The spreading of futsal gospel is make possible through the Outreach Programme funded under the Community Sector Programme and Dural Sports and Leisure Centre in Australia.

Under the programme, Futsal officials conducted a four-day workshop at Marau, East Guadalcanal last week.

The training was the first of its kind this year and focused on the introduction of coaching and refereeing

Eighteen participants who took part in the four-day workshop were privileged to acquire valuable knowledge through theory and practical sessions.

Solomon Islands National Futsal team’s Head Coach Dickson Kadau and officials Daniel Belo and Alick Buga, conducted the workshop.

The visit to Marau was the beginning of the Futsal Outreach Programme that aimed to develop the sport in the country.

Moved by the community’s increasing interest in sport, Festal officials handed over five balls to the kids as an introduction to playing Futsal with proper balls.

Belo, a representative of the Solomon Islands Futsal Committee, said the donation was to assist the community to start their own Futsal league this year.

“These rural dwellers are new to the sport but the interest in getting to know the game is overwhelming,” he said.

As part of the outreach, he said, they will conduct follow-up tours to areas already visited to monitor the progress of Futsal in the area.

Belo thanked the community, sponsors and Marau school for the training venue.

A similar workshop is planned for Tulagi and other parts of the country this year, pending confirmation.

Belo said the interested Provincial Football Associations are encouraged to contact the Futsal office at SIFF or Lawson tama for enquiries.








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