Courtesy: www.fifa.com

Futsal
Costa Rica: a futsal role model
(FIFA.com) 8 Aug 2003

Renowned for its tropical climate and awesome volcanoes, Costa Rica is also a football-loving country, whose national side regularly cross swords with CONCACAF powerbrokers Mexico and the United States. The Ticos, as they are known in the footballing world, are also one of the leading exponents of the sport of futsal. FIFA instructor and national coach Carlos Quirós Álvarez told FIFA.com just why the Costa Ricans are quite so successful at the indoor version of the beautiful game.
Support and organisation
Costa Rica boasts over 200 men and women’s futsal sides, ranging from elite clubs to local teams. The national association’s premier league (AFUSCO) has 17 teams, most hailing from clubs that may not wield the largest budgets but do boast a high degree of professionalism, strict annual planning and serious tactical and technical ambitions.

The Costa Rican Football Association, under President Don Hermes Navarro has opted to lend the indoor sport its full backing. “The association’s support helped us draw up a global plan and pull in the same direction. That in turn enabled futsal to grow as a separate entity,” explains Quirós. He also points out the creation of a sub-committee for futsal national sides, directed by Jorge Flores. “ Becoming a strategic ally of the corresponding association’s management structure is essential. With a clear plan and concrete action, it’s hard for an organisation to resist the charm of futsal and the enthusiasm of its supporters,” he adds.

The national governing body includes all the associated leagues: futsal, women’s football, beach soccer, the "Liga de ascenso" (youth league), amateur football and professional football. Each has a certain amount of power, depending on its number of representatives on the Executive Committee. “It sounds too good to be true, but our efforts have resulted in real co-operation and perfect harmony,” insists the national coach.

Laying the groundwork
Quirós is categorical; “an association that fails to train is one that is destined to fail.” That is why Costa Rica lays on specific training programmes for its men’s and women’s coaches, under a partnership between the Costa Rican Football Association and the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED - the equivalent of the Open University). Armed with the resulting official qualifications – which are recognised by the government – the coaches can envisage professional and university careers.

In parallel to this national policy, local instructors organise meetings all over the country, usually at international seminars and congresses. “That reflects the continuity and professionalism of the work we do,” adds Quirós.

The national side as a guiding light
Quirós is convinced that "having a good national side is good for the whole country. The fact that people identify with the sport and an organisation is an opportunity not to be missed.” Costa Rica are unquestionably a role model for their CONCACAF neighbours in this regard; their national side have twice taken part in the FIFA Futsal World Championships (in Hong Kong and Guatemala) and boast an unbeaten record within their confederation.

The Costa Rica futsal team has travelled to Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil (Aracaju, Joinville) and Singapore to compete in tournaments like the Tiger 5, the “Mundialito” and the Central American Games (the start of the Olympic campaign). The Costa Ricans have also played a host of international friendlies.

“This attracts partners to the game, who provide financial backing,” reasons Quirós. And on the subject of money, he is quick to mention FIFA’s Goal Programme which will see a pitch and arena being built as a base for the national sides, and the futsal league’s training and administration.

“We hope this dream will become a reality very soon because it will enable a separate organisation to grow up for a sport which, more than any other, is accessible to all, young and old".