Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Futsal teams depart despite visa problem

By Davidson Kukutu

Thursday, 07 January 2010

OUR National U 12 and U 15 futsal team finally left for Brisbane after struggling to sort out their visa with the Immigration at the Henderson International Airport yesterday.

The teams were supposed to depart on the national carrier at 2.45 pm to participate in the Football Federation Australia National Futsal Championship schedule for 11th-15 January but have to delay for half an hour.

However, when they checked they were told they would not be able to travel yesterday because their visas were not ready.

Instead they were given an option to take another flight on Friday. This have disappointed many parents and struck hard on the players.

However, the news was not final for the team and with their heads held up high, they assembled outside the Airport until their prayers were answered in which they were recalled to check in.

Trainer and National Futsal coach Dickson Kadau said the delay was due to late printing of passports and negotiations for Visas’ for the teams and officials.

He said they have applied for visa under sport visa three weeks ago but the problem was that sport visas takes eight weeks to process them.

“We were not being informed of this until last two weeks that we have to apply for tourist visa to travel to Australia. This has delayed us but we are happy that we are able to travel today”, Mr Kadau said prior to their departure yesterday.

“I was unhappy when we are told to go on Friday because that will affect the moral of our boys. Most importantly we will miss some of our games if we leave on Friday”, Kadau said.

He said those responsible should have informed them earlier to avoid such mishaps next time.

He also stated that an additional payment had to be paid by the Dural Sport and Leisure Center yesterday morning to authorities in Australia for the processing of their Visa’s.

Despite the problems, Mr Kadau said the boys are really looking forward to do their best in the championship.

Last years the U-15 boys reached the semifinal after going down to New South Wales.

A Total of 121 teams from Australia, Solomon Islands and New Zealand will converged at Canberra to compete in the FFA National Futsal championship.

The FFA National Futsal Championship is the biggest national football tournament in Australia since it was first held in Melbourne in 1980.


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