Coach Bill Sampaio and Alex Para, President of the United States Futsal Federation as well as other members of the USFF board of directors sound off recently in Oakland, California with their support to the OLYMPIC FUTSAL CAMPAIGN originated at the PAULISTA FEDERATION in Sao Paulo, Brazil under the leadership of President Dr. Ciro Fontao and implemented by Program Director Marcos Diniz.

Bill Sampaio was also on hand to accept the nomination of Representative of Coaches for the United States Futsal Federation, (USFF). The United States Futsal Federation announced that Bill Sampaio of Tiverton, Rhode Island has been elected to this position by the unanimous vote of its board of directors and state associations. Coach Bill explains, "the United States Futsal Federation is the national governing authority that oversees all Futsal league development, policies and competitions in the United States and they do so under the auspices of the United States Youth Soccer Association". "Futsal is the FIFA recognized sport commonly referred to as "Five-a-Side" or "No-Walls" indoor soccer. The skills developed in this game are visible in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized soccer field. Players like Ronalda, Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto and other Brazilian superstars all attribute their success as professionals directly as a result of the foot skills they developed while playing Futsal" says Sampaio.

Sampaio further explains that the board of directors of the USFF clearly recognizes that the growing sport of Futsal demands proper referee and coaching training to further its cause for proper player development, in particular, and the sport, at large. It is seen as a fundamental basis for promoting consistency in the understanding of the sport as it continues to grow in popularity in the United States". "I am both humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity and am anxious to begin my work as the national representative of Futsal coaches".

Alex Para who has been a long standing advocate and promoter of the sport of Futsal in the United States notes, "that nationally, youth development and premier programs in the United States are growing at an average rate of 7% per year". Coach Sampaio adds that locally, in Massachusetts we have had great success in youth programs like that run for the Fall River Diocesan Elementary Schools and that Massachusetts has also been at the forefront of premier player development with it's U-19 Mens program named as reigning national champions in July of 2003. Alex Para is very proud of the United States National Futsal Team that took the Gold Medal winning the CONCACAF Futsal Championship on July 31st of this year and that are now preparing for the World Cup competition in China later this year. "This is a tremendous accomplishment for our team and serves to clearly illustrate the growing commitment people and players in the United States are making".

Bill Sampaio closed his acceptance of this prestigious position by remarking that, "these are exciting times for Fustal in the United States and I am very happy to be able to share the little I know about the sport with players, coaches and teams alike, it is truly a great honor!"

The attached photograph is of Coach Bill Sampaio (Left) and Alex Para, President of the United States Futsal Federation after the USFF's announcement of Bill Sampaio as Director of Coaches recently in Berkley, CA.