Courtesy: The Swazi Observer


Timothy Shongwe Futsal Chairman

By Sabelo Ndzinisa

SOCCER – NATIONAL Football Association (FA) First-Vice President Timothy Shongwe has been appointed Chairman of the newly-established Futsal Association in the country.

The workaholic Shongwe was appointed during the association’s introductory meeting held last week Tuesday.
The meeting served to set a way forward with the view of achieving the FA’s fulfillment of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) goal of introducing Futsal soccer in all its members associations.

This sport is recognised and supported by both FIFA and UEFA, which has seen the staging of World Championships for clubs and national teams over the past years.

Futsal is the format of 5-a-side football game played with hockey sized goal posts and a smaller ball with a reduced bounce.

It helps to improve players’ skills in the sense that they are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or play whilst under pressure or in confined spaces.

It places considerable demand on technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness.

“It was in this premise that the NFAS together with an already existing Futsal Association based in Mbabane joined hands to set out a framework of developing Futsal game in the country.

During the introductory meeting a committee, which will work closely with NFAS, was appointed.

This is the committee, which will work closely integrating other areas where there is evident interest in the 5-a-side game.

"Potential areas expected to be officially roped into the plans of the committee include Manzini Portuguese Club, Correctional Indoor Soccer players, Waterford KaMhlaba indoor soccer players and later expanding to Lubombo and Shiselweni regions,” Secretary of the association Brian Mohammed said in a statement yesterday.

He added that during the meeting it was highlighted that it is expected that the committee will look into the establishment of a Futsal League, advocating FIFA’s technical support and organising regional and national tournaments in the country.

“We hereby inform the nation that the official launch of the operations of the Futsal soccer in the country and an introductory national tournament to include juniors from under 13s and 15s, women’s football, corporate and social teams will be announced soon. Apart from the above, the committee is working on setting a network with local School Sports Association in introducing the sport in local schools.

"In this regard all those interested in taking part in the development of Futsal in their areas or workplaces should not hesitate to get an evaluation form on needs assessment and leave their details with Sibongile Skagell, Women Football Association offices, Sigwaca House before April 18, 2008 or alternatively contact the committee’s secretary Brian Mohammed at 606 8984,”

The full executive committee is as follows:

Timothy Shongwe - President
Lungi ‘Machina’ Kanya -Vice President
Brian Mohammed - Secretary/PRO
Gilbert Ntentesa - Treasurer
Themba Motsa - Member





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