Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Futsal teams flew under tourist visas

Friday, 08 January 2010

By Davidson Kukutu

THE national under 12 and 15 futsal teams left our shores for Brisbane Australia yesterday but under tourist visas.

It was a near miss which affected the morale of the teams when they were refused to check in due to visa impasse.

The flight was delayed for an hour while last minute negotiation over the visa issue continued and devastation came when they were told to take the Friday flight.

The teams will participate in the Football Federation Australia National Futsal Championship schedule for 11- 15 January.

“We went to check-in we were told that we would not be able to travel because our visas were not ready,” one disappointed player said outside the airport.

He said they were given an option to take another flight on Friday.

One parent said this had disappointed them and even the players.

However, despite their diminishing hopes, 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.

Mr Kadau said they have applied for visas under sport visa three weeks ago

He said the problem was, sport visas take eight weeks to process.

“We were not being informed of this until last two weeks that we have to apply for tourist visa to travel. This has delayed us but we are happy that we are able to travel today (yesterday),” he said.

“I was very disappointed and devastated when we were 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”, Mr Kadau said.

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

He added 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 year 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 vie 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 the 1980s.


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