Courtesy: The Star On line

Futsal gaining popularity among girls

By NG WEI LOON

THE fourth Subang Jaya Community Girls’ Futsal League (SJCGFL) organised by the Subang Jaya Community Sports Club (SJCSC) is set to attract more budding footballers of the fairer sex.

This season, about 100 players aged between seven and 16 years old are expected to be in the fray in the league to be held at Rio de Futsal in Subang Jaya from June 10 to Aug 5.

The league has three divisions - Juniors (Under-Nine), Majors (Under-12) and Premiers (Under-16).

Each division will comprise four teams each, with eight players in each side.

For the fairer sex, too: Girls tussling for the ball in a past event.
In 2004, the league kicked off with a successful debut with more than 70 players.

However, it only attracted about 40 players for the following year.

Last year, the league drew participation of 68 players in two categories - senior (seven to 12 years) and premier (13 to 16 years) divisions.

“In our drive to recruit more participants, we need to spread the message to those interested to take part early. We feel that expanding the league to accommodate about 100 players is an ideal volume for the event to run smoothly. We hope to retain the figure in future,” Subang Jaya Community Youth Football League (SJCYFL) leadership team co-ordinator Farouk Hashim said.

“Football is gaining popularity among girls. They are involved in a way or the other. They either pick up the game from their families or friends, who are avid football followers. They also want to have a kick about instead of being passive spectators. And this is their chance to experience the real action on the pitch,” he added.

Currently, the SJCSC has a database of 200 families with over 800 individuals involved in their community-based programmes.

Major activities by the club include SJCYFL and SJCSC swimming teams.

Besides sports, the club would be hosting a parenting and self-development workshops for parents and children respectively in June.

The aspects to be discussed in the three-hour course include building self-confidence and enriching intellectual skills.

“We have done a similar course about four years ago. It was very well received with the positive feedbacks. Personally, I have benefited from it and applied the practical skills that I have learn-ed. It serves as a reminder to parents on how to conduct themselves in front of their children at home.

“This time around, we want our participants to form a support group as a follow through and set up an avenue for them to discuss on issues related to parenting on regular basis,” he added.

For the league, entry fee is RM125 per player for SJCSC members and RM160 for non-members.

The fee will include court fees, colourful playing stripes, awards and prize-giving celebration.

Training sessions and matches will be held between 2pm and 5pm on every Sunday throughout the duration of the league.

“We run the league on a voluntary basis with parents and well-wishers offering their assistance. It is a similar approach as other programmes organised by the SJCSC for youngsters. Usually, fathers will serve coaches and mothers will be the team managers in our girls’ futsal league,” said K. Sundraraj, who is the SJCGFL co-ordinator.

Those interested in taking part in the league, call 012-335 6760 (Mary) or 016-621 4065 (Chitra) or visit www.sjcyfl.com



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