Courtesy: The Star


Kenya seeks to join ‘Beach and Futsal’ football tournaments

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Kenya is set to enter the FIFA/CAF Beach and Futsal football tournaments, the new kids on the block in international competitions. The two forms of football have become increasingly popular especially beach football which has a huge following in South America. The indoor game Futsal— which is played in gyms and enclosed spaces—is also quickly gaining fame. Kenya will be the first association in the East and Central Africa to jump start the two disciplines, as it prepares to enter next year’s continental qualifiers.

FKF national chairman Sam Nyamweya said the introduction of these two football disciplines within the football family has been part of the federation’s vision. “ As a federation, we know within one year, we shall be among the big names on the continent. We shall assist areas where there are no beaches by offering technical advice on the laying of sand pitches,” he noted.

The federation has appointed vice chairman Sammy Sholei as the acting chairman to the Futsal/Beach football committee and his responsibilities will be oversee the growth of the game countrywide. “I am deeply honoured by this appointment and our first task is hold seminars to train referees and coaches on aspects of the game and then spread this fast growing game countrywide,” said the former international midfielder. Currently, Kenya is active in beach football with Mombasa and Malindi having teams playing an organized league. The game is also picking up in Kisumu especially on the Busia and Kendu Bay beach areas.

The federation is currently planning a 16-team beach football in Mombasa this April. Futsal has attracted attention from Local universities who will be the first to play the game, which is played in the country only by members of the British Army based in Nanyuki.




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