Courtesy: Port Vila Press Online - Vanuatu News

Futsal demonstration complete success

By Tony Ligo - The Independent

Posted Monday, August 29, 2005

The Centre Point car park was packed Wednesday evening as the public squeezed their way into every available space to watch the first ever street futsal demonstration.

It was a fun evening for all including the two teams made up of FIFA officials here for the FIFA Com-Unity workshop and VFF academy opening, and led by Glen (The Maestro) Turner, FIFA-OFC development officer.

Although the FIFA team B led by "The Maestro" put on a good show, they were no match for the Vanuatu multi-national side led by none other than national coach, Carlos (The Tiger) Buzzetti - who led his team to victory after notching in three points himself.

On the other pitch, the VFF staff team did all they could but were just unable to contain the FIFA "Magnificent Seven" team A led by Wynton Rufer.

The FIFA star studded side which include a former Basle (top Swiz club) player, former Tahiti national players including current OFC president, Timaru, went on to beat a local premier futsal league side, Westtam much to the delight of the crowd.

Before the FIFA verses Vanuatu matches, two matches kicked off the evening between two female clubs and two junior boys clubs.

"Everywhere else in the world sports associations are doing this to encourage sport and in futsal it is widely accepted and practiced, and we are now entering this new trend," explained Marco Herominly, president of Vanuatu Futsal Association. "We also want to continue with the idea as it was popular with both the crowd and futsal players, a change from their normal play ground and a point to gain new interest and more popularity with the public."

The idea was so popular that the local futsal association is now looking at the possibility of holding the event every three months or so as a marketing gimmick for the sport.

It is understood, Centre Point management were excited about the turnout and are ready to assist in allowing their space for future use.

"We saw two things Wednesday evening out there," said Glenn Turner, "one that there are naturally talented players here and two that you don't need a proper set up to get futsal going, because its a passion in the kids and adults here, you just have to bring it out and it happens."

As one of the FIFA marketing officers said, "You have very talented futsal players here, from a very young age and both in females and males. Now you need to build on that and its how you go about it that is important."



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