African futsal is definitely a world yet to be deeply known on the international stage. In recent times Libya got the power in terms of continental dominance, that's why he have talked with mr. Saadi Abdesalam.


Who is Mr. Saadi Abdesalam?
I'm in charge of Futsal in Libya, as well as director of the Libyan Futsal National Teams Department

Passion for futsal seems to be at the highest ever level in Libya right now: which is the story of futsal in the country, a recent "love" or something based on ancient roots?
I believe passion comes from football, beeing the most popular game in the world played by all kinds of people: men and women, young and adult. Futsal in Libya is not that recent, there is special attention to it and many talented players. We have material and qualities, and a proper staff working as a team. In recent times we got special attention from Engineer Saadi Muammar Gheddafi: when he was President of the Libyan Football Federation he introduced a strategic plan for Futsal in Libyan clubs.

Why Libyan people like futsal?
Libyans are extremely passionate about futsal, they play it everywhere and in open courts built by the Libyan government. That's an implementation of what came in the Green Book: "sport is an activity for all that should be practiced rather than just watched"

The Libyan National Futsal Team is now an highly recognized team all over the world. How have you built such a squad?
This have been achieved through our passion for this game, and fortunately we got no obstacles in our road. We obtained help from all public institutions in charge of sports as well as by the Libyan fans who love this game. We also receive all the support from the media in Libya.

1 time CAF Champions, 2 times Arab Champions, a World Cup played in 2008 and more titles. Which triumph meant more for you? A person to dedicate all these victories? Are you aiming to be at the top of the Futsal World in the future?
All these achievements are important and I dedicate them to the First Sportsman and Leader Muammar Gheddafi and to all Libyans. Yes, our goal is to be on the top of the international stage in future.

Mato Stankovic was your first national team coach. In which way did he help Libyan Futsal development and growth?
We respect him very much and we don't forget what he has done for Futsal in Libya.

At the end of the Mato Stankovic era, you have chosen Pablo Prieto. Which are the reasons for this change?
The contract with coach Mato Stankovic was terminated and we thought about the Spanish school of Futsal because it is an international high standard and they are well known in developing Futsal. Coach Pablo Prieto has proved to be the best coach for Libya, we have seen the notable development of our players in futsal tactics. We wish him all the success with our team so that we can reach our international goals toghether.

Development of Libyan Futsal: can you describe to futsal readers how things are currently going on? Are you satisfied with it?
Development of Libyan Futsal is going very well as we have carefully planned it before. I'm fully satisfied with the development and success of the Libyan Futsal National Team as well.

Libyan Futsal National league: does it a national league exist and
which is its standard? Are you going to work in order to develop a
professional and stronger league or you're focusing more on the
national team?
Yes, there is a Futsal national league run by the Competitions Committee of the Libyan Football Federation. But I'm only concentrating on the national team because I am the one in charge of it and the players are selected from publics play courts.

Libya and abroad, which are your plans for futsal?
I have in the Department a committee in charge of strategic relations and they put all the programs for the Futsal national teams. Then, we're looking forward to develop the game in Africa as a whole and in North Africa in particular. I'm in charge of the Futsal Committee in the North Africa Zone and I am sincere in developing Futsal, you will notice this in coming years. I want this game to success in Africa and in Libya: we will achieve this through the talent of our talented players and the support of authorities. I'm passionate about futsal and I devote all my time to it. Things will improve in the near future because this is a sport for all and it is the game number one in Libya.

What do you think futsal need to improve its standard in the world
and to be recognized as an Olympic sport? Which is in your opinion the priority step to follow for worldwide futsal development?
In my opinion futsal needs special care primarily from FIFA, through tournaments like the FIFA Futsal World Cup or the FIFA Futsal Confederations Cup which was organized for the first time by Libya and also through a different kind of support, namely coaching and refereeing courses or financial support. I'm ready to help as we have many ideas to develop the game all over the world, we organized the first Futsal Confederations Cup in Libya with our own resources and we will do the same with the first Mediterranean Futsal Championship next November, so that Futsal can enter the Mediterranean Games and become official. During this competition we also plan to organize an advanced course for coaches from all over the world under the supervision of FIFA. The aim of all those tournaments and courses in Libya is to spread the world in our country and abroad. Also, we definitely hope that Futsal can became an Olympic sport as soon as possible.

A final word from mr. Saadi
I take this chance to thank all Libyans who contributed with me in the success of this game, notably Dr. Mohamed Moamar Gheddafi, supporter of Libyan sports, Engineer Saif Al Islam Moamar Gheddafi, supporter of Libyan youth and the infrastructor, Engineer Saadi Moamar Gheddafi, founder of Libyan Futsal and to all the CAF, UAFA, UNAF and FIFA families.
















Posted by Mico Martic --> mico.martic@futsalplanet.com