Courtesy: Marianas Variety


Men’s Futsal league returns

Friday, 25 July 2008

by Jude Lizama - Variety News Staff

AFTER a year in hiding, the Guam Football Association is set to begin its men’s Futsal league tomorrow evening beginning at 6 p.m. at the Guam Sports Complex in Harmon. The league will also hold Wednesday matches at either the Agat Gymnasium or Astumbo Gymnasium in Dededo.

Men’s Futsal began locally in 2004 and ran consecutively for three years until 2006. However, there was no men’s Futsal league in 2007. This year, the Crushers Orange, Quality, Inter FC, Crushers White, Cobras, Community First Deyo, Islanders and Strykers make up the eight participating teams of the recently renewed league.
Chairperson of the 2008 GFA Men’s Futsal League, Muni Abdullah, said that some players take the exciting game of Futsal very seriously.

“Not all players take Futsal seriously, but some players are more suited for the Futsal game and take it seriously. It’s also fun and more exciting to play. For the fans, it’s more fun to watch Futsal because of the fast action and fancy moves on the court.”

According to Abdullah, Guam Shipyard and Quality have a deep-seated rivalry; however, Shipyard is not participating in this year’s Futsal league.

“In general, Shipyard and Quality have been rivals for a long time. But since Shipyard is not participating in this Futsal league, there should not be any rivalries between teams for the next seven weeks.”

Abdullah also talked about the many plans that GFA has to conjure more interest throughout the island for Futsal.

“GFA has two lighted outdoor Futsal courts ready for use at their headquarters and training facility in Harmon. Due to the rainy season, the Men’s Futsal League could not be conducted there. GFA plans to open these courts to the public and for club use very soon,” he stated. “Futsal clinics, coaches education and a national development program are being planned as part of GFA’s master plan to promote Futsal island-wide. Ultimately, GFA would like to see Futsal being integrated into middle school and high school physical education programs and leagues in the near future.”

Guam players have traveled abroad in the past for Futsal competition.

“In the past, Guam has participated in some East Asian Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation Futsal Qualifying Tournaments abroad, such as in Macau, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei,” said Abdullah. “Future national development programs are intended to improve Guam’s performance in such international tournaments.”





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