With the lighting of the traditional oil lamp the first ever FIFA MA Futsal Coaching course kicked off at the FFSL auditorium.
Futsal is the shorter version of the game which is played by 5 against 5 and in 40 minutes [20 minutes x 2]This fast spaced and skillful game is spreading globally with millions of fans enjoying all over the world. So in this part of the world this will be popular as the T20 version of cricket which will be less time consuming and very fast in game application.
In line with FIFA mission on Futsal which has made a commitment to promote and structure the sport of Futsal globally, by means of competitions, courses and other proactive measures, and to encourage its members on technical development of the game , FIFA is conducting first ever FUTSAL Course in Sri Lanka.
The program will be from 13th to 18th October, with a participation of 30 coaches selected from island wide.
FIFA Instructor from England Graeme Dell is the course Instructor and Mr. Balendra Anthony -Chairman Futsal, Media and Beach Football and Mr. Neil Ubeyasiri will coordinate the programme. Mr, Anura De Silva delivered the welcome address and stressed the point that the first batch of 30 coaches from Sri Lanka has a challenge to perform and take the game to all over the country.
Mr. Balendra Anthony, the Chairman Futsal expressing his gratitude on behalf of the Federation expressed his gratitude to FIFA and AFC for all assistance extended to promote the game in Sri Lanka.
He further said that this is historical and advised the coaches to create players who will be specialism in Futsal and not to get the current top players in to the game .He told them to learn and apply the techniques for the development of the players and the game.
The FIFA Instructor Dell addressing the participants conveyed the greetings of FIFA President Mr. Joseph Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke and paid a tribute to FFSL President Mr. Ranjith Rodrigo for the arrangements done by FFSL.
He told them that it is a challenge for FFSL and for these coaches to learn and develop the game to achieve desired goals in the game is global and popular day by day and shared an experience where England had only 12 teams in 2003 and today it has over 4300 teams and the country is yet to win an international tournament. Yet the game is so popular and in Sri Lanka too it will be very attractive and it will be up to the coaches to take the game to their respective areas.
