Kodungallur to get Futsal Academy

Playing

indoor soccer futsal will soon be a reality in the state as the Central

Government is all set to start its first futsal academy in the country in

Kodungallur, Thrissur. Though futsal, a variant of football played on smaller

pitches, mainly indoors, is popular in several countries, the game has not been

properly introduced in India.

As

part of promoting the game in the country, the Union Sports Ministry is set to

start the state’s first ‘futsal’ pitch and the country’s first dedicated

coaching centre on the Kunji Kuttan Thampuran College campus here, said T N

Prathapan MLA.

The

state-of-the art facility, which is under construction inside the Kunji Kuttan

Thampuran College campus, will be operational from next year, he said. The

Centre has earmarked Rs 1 crore for the construction the turf and other

infrastructure facilities on the campus. A synthetic turf, specially designed

to absorb shock, measuring 42 metres length and 18-22 metres width, will also

be set up as part of the project, he said. In addition, facilities like

floodlight, cage netting to separate pitches, changing rooms and refreshment

counters will be set up, he said.

Futsal

is the only form of indoor soccer certified by the FIFA. The five-a-side soccer

game is played on a hard surfaced, basketball-sized court with a smaller,

heavier low-bounce ball. The duration of the game is 40 minutes with two halves

of 20 minutes each with touchline boundaries and without walls.

The goal post is also smaller than that used in normal football.

“Though

the term ‘futsal’ is unfamiliar to many people in the country, it will

certainly steal the show once it is introduced in a place like Kerala, where

people are crazy about football,” said I M Vijayan, former Indian football team

captain.

“Futsal,

a popular game in western countries, has been gaining popularity for the past two

decades,” he said, adding that many international football players have started

playing the game as it helps in the speedy development of footballing

techniques.

“Futsal

will become the next big recreational activity in the state as it can be played

with maximum number of five players, including the goalkeeper,” said Francis,

an avid football fan based in Thrissur.

Experts

point out that futsal is comparatively more interesting as players get to be in

contact with the ball more when compared to football. Various private schools

also can establish their futsal teams once it becomes popular here, they added.

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