PSSI-McDonald's futsal team in Balikpapan

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI)- McDonald's Indonesia futsal team will hold a coaching clinic in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, to help promote the new sport.

"We hope East Kalimantan, particularly Balikpapan, will become a center for futsal development and make the sport more popular on the island," said Cepi S. Husada, the community marketing manager of McDonald's Indonesia and the executive chairman of PSSI-McDonald's futsal team.

About 40 participants, coaches, referees and match commissioners from Balikpapan, Bontang, Samarinda and Sangatta, are expected to attend the three-day clinic, which begins on Wednesday.

Former national soccer player Ronny Pattinasarani, who will speak at the clinic, said he hoped businesspeople in the province would develop an interest in futsal and soccer.

"I'm quite optimistic that if the oil companies here stage tournaments during the weekends, it will help increase the interest and participation in futsal and soccer here," said Ronny. (ivy)