Courtesy: Marianas Variety


DPR/DYA Youth Futsal Tournament begins this weekend

By Jude Lizama

Variety News Staff

THE Department of Parks & Recreation and Department of Youth Affairs are joining to sponsor the 2007 DPR/DYA Youth Futsal Tournament beginning on Friday, November 23 at the Guam Sports Complex in Harmon, according to a press release from Muni Abdullah, Vice Chairman of the Guam Futsal Committee.

The tournament in a one day format with two divisions. The U-8 Division will play on Friday, while the U-10 Division will compete the following day. Opening games are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

There are six teams in both divisions: Dededo, Islanders, Crushers, Wings, Strykers and Sidekicks. It’s a 5-a-side co-ed tournament but it’s not mandatory to have girls on the team. Five players are required to start the game and the maximum number of players allowed on the roster is 10.

Abdullah talked about the tournament planners and sponsors.

“GFA Futsal Committee is the primary planners, Chairman Pascual Artero and myself,” he said. “DPR/DYA is sponsoring it by providing free use of the Guam Sports Complex. In the past, Gatorade sponsored it by providing free drinks and medals,” he added.

There will be some changes in the Futsal rules due to the age of the competitors.

“The game is made shorter with 10 minute halves for U-8 and U-10; and 15 minute halves for U-12 and U-14. Adult games are played with 25 minutes halves. It’s a co-ed tournament but it’s not mandatory to have girls in the team. Whereas adult tournaments are divided into men’s and women’s,” said Abdullah.

With the tournament, GFA hopes to spread Futsal popularity. “We hope to promote Futsal to youth on Guam because it’s the fastest growing sport in Asia and Europe. In the USA, it’s known as Indoor Soccer, with different sets of rules. We hope to introduce this sport to middle and high schools PE systems and one day be able to incorporate it in middle school and high school leagues,” explained Abdullah.

Abdullah also spoke about the benefits of Futsal for young athletes.

“Futsal is an extension of the skills learned in outdoor soccer. It’s faster and more exciting to play,” he said. “More agility and stamina are required because the playing court is much smaller than outdoor soccer. It’s a 5-a-side game as opposed to an 11-a-side game in outdoor soccer. Players need to think and adjust faster in term of offensive movement and defensive formation, which can change in a matter of seconds. Team work and coaching methods are very important,” he added.

This will not be the first time a youth Futsal tournament has been held but it is currently not an annual event. “This will be the third time but not annually. In the past we had it done during Christmas or new year’s break but everyone gets too busy with end of the year activities,” said Abdullah. “We’ve tried to hold the tournament during the early weeks of summer break but many parents and players are off-island, which limits the number of participants. It’s also a challenge to reserve the gym because of other sports such as basketball, hockey and volleyball. Once the outdoor Futsal courts at the GFA Training Facility are completed, we can make it a regular and annual event with set dates,” he finisheed.



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