Courtesy: UEFA.com


Ireland plan for futsal future

Friday 7 December 2007

The Republic of Ireland are preparing for their international futsal debut with the backing of UEFA President Michel Platini.

U21 bow
Ireland introduced their first Under-21 league in the small-sided game last year, producing entrants to this season's UEFA Futsal Cup, and now a national team are going into Thursday's draw for the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament, for which qualifying is held in April. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Futsal Development Programme was launched earlier this week and Mr Platini was there to back it.

Congratulations
"I want to congratulate the FAI for establishing this plan to develop and promote futsal in Ireland," the UEFA President said. "UEFA fully supports this initiative and welcomes the FAI into the UEFA futsal family." Officials from UEFA and FIFA consulted with key stakeholders throughout Ireland in designing the programme, which aims to foster the game over the next four years in such areas as grassroots futsal for adults and children, education, high-level competition and marketing and management.

'Hard work'
FAI technical director Packie Bonner said: "Futsal is a game which can facilitate greater participation and player development and should be afforded the best possible opportunity to develop and flourish in Ireland." Derek O'Neill, FAI national futsal co-ordinator, added: "The launch of this programme comes after months of hard work and dedication by a number of people. I have no doubt that their hard work will pay off and that futsal will establish itself as an integral part of Irish football."







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