The Continent’s Futsal Directors were presented with the AFC’s latest development updates during the AFC Futsal Director’s Workshop 2019 that concluded in the Malaysian capital on Thursday.
With the 16th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship set to be staged in Turkmenistan next February, the workshop provided updates for the benefit of the Directors and their respective Member Associations.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, who delivered the opening speech, spoke on the growth of the sport across Asia, which began with the AFC Futsal Championship in 1999 to the introduction of the AFC Futsal Club Championship, AFC U-20 Futsal Championship, AFC Beach Soccer Championship and the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship.
“I’m proud to see how far the sport has grown over the years,” said Dato’ Windsor John.
“Credit, of course, must go to many of you here, and the AFC Member Associations (MAs), several of whom are now staging domestic futsal leagues. But the responsibilities rest with all of you to continue to drive the development of futsal across the Continent.
“The AFC will continue to enhance the standard of our MAs’ futsal administration and club licensing programme, which will bring us in line with the world’s best practices.”
Throughout the three-day workshop, the 28 participants heard from Abbas Torabian of Islamic Republic of Iran, who spoke on players’ contracts and transfers, before UEFA representatives Laurent Morel and Ben Veenbrink presented on the UEFA Futsal Competitions and Marketing, as well as stadium infrastructure and security.
The workshop also covered updates on the latest trends in futsal, with future development plans were recommended. The workshop also gave the opportunity for MAs to engage and exchange knowledge.
The AFC Futsal Championship Turkmenistan 2019 will feature Asia’s best 16 teams and will kick off on February 26, with the final scheduled to be played on March 8. The top five teams will then represent the Continent in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.
