PSSI shows its commitment to developing futsal in RI

JAKARTA (JP): The newly introduced five-a-side futsal will be developed in Indonesia over the next four years to guarantee that the country will have a champion futsal team.

Officials of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the McDonalds chain of fastfood restaurants, who jointly launched the sport, said on Friday that it will involve promoting futsal and organizing a league here.

"We will start the national futsal league sometimes next year while we concentrate on promoting it this year," said McDonald's community marketing manager Cepi S. Husada.

"Our next step is to participate in the Asian championships organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2003. The target is not to win but just to gain experience."

"We will fully support the sport until the 2004 Futsal World Championship."

Cepi was speaking on the sidelines of a media conference prior to the first futsal tournament ever to be held in the country. Also present was PSSI's head of the coaching commission and the official in charge of junior development, Ronny Pattinasarani, also a former national soccer player.

Students from 16 soccer schools from around Jakarta will compete in the Rp 6.5 million (US$650) tournament.

The qualifying round is to be held at Simprug Sports Hall, South Jakarta from March 24 to March 26. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at the Bung Karno Basketball Hall on April 1 while the final is to be held at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium on April 19 to commemorate PSSI's 71st anniversary.

"We want to introduce futsal through young players who are already training in soccer schools. We hope they can improve their soccer skills through futsal," Cepi said.

"They can learn how to control the ball because they play on a smaller field in futsal."

Futsal originated in Uruguay and is played on a basketball- sized court either indoors or outdoors without the use of sidewalls.

"We are organizing the tournament during the holidays in order not to interrupt the participants' schooling schedule. Besides, we want the whole family to come to matches," Ronny said.

"Many great Brazilian soccer players, such as Pele, Zico, Bebeto, and Socrates started from futsal."

Cepi also said that AFC is offering Indonesia the chance to be host of the Asian championships. (nvn)