Jakarta to host Asian futsal championship<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta is set to host the Asian Futsal
\nChampionship in October 2002, according to an official from the
\nIndonesian Soccer Association (PSSI).<\/p>\n
Ronny Pattinasarany, the PSSI's official in charge of futsal
\ndevelopment, said that the Asian soccer governing body, the AFC,
\nhad approved Indonesia's proposal to host the event.<\/p>\n
The PSSI submitted the proposal at an AFC meeting in Tehran
\nlast July, which coincided with the 3rd Asian Futsal
\nChampionship.<\/p>\n
When asked why Indonesia won the approval given the fact that
\nthe sport only arrived in the country in February, Ronny said:
\n\"The AFC sees that Indonesia is eligible to host the event.\"<\/p>\n
\"And we are prepared for that,\" the soccer living legend said
\non the sidelines of a coaching clinic jointly organized by the
\nPSSI and McDonald's here on Tuesday. He said that the date of the
\nevent would be revealed later.<\/p>\n
In preparation for the Asian event, the PSSI is set to unveil
\nthe Premier Futsal League starting next month. The competition
\nwill feature 16 clubs, which will be divided into four groups,
\nand is expected to last between seven and ten days.<\/p>\n
Of the participating clubs, six will come from Bandung,
\nSurabaya, Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Purwokerto in Central
\nJava and Jakarta. The PSSI has visited these cities as part of
\nthe futsal coaching clinic program.<\/p>\n
Ronny said the program would be introduced in another three
\ntowns this month, namely Makassar in South Sulawesi, Semarang and
\nMedan in North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
\"During October we will go to another seven towns before the
\ninauguration of the league,\" he said, adding that the league
\nwould serve as the selection ground for a national team.<\/p>\n
Cepi Husada, an executive member of the Indonesian futsal
\nleague organizer, said the PSSI had decided to allow a futsal
\nteam to include soccer players associated with the Indonesian
\nsoccer premier league.<\/p>\n
\"To make the game competitive and interesting, they are
\nallowed to play. Otherwise, we fear that futsal may become a
\nsecond-class game,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Futsal was first introduced in February this year and the PSSI
\nhas been picking up the pace in marketing the sport throughout
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
A program aimed at introducing the sport to youth has also
\nbeen put into effect with the launch of \"McFutsal With Ronny
\nPattinasarany\" at Don Bosco senior high school in East Jakarta on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
\"Through this promotion, we want to accelerate the spread of
\nthe sport across the country as required by the AFC,\" Ronny said.
\n(01)<\/p>",
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