Education Will Evolve Asian Futsal, Says Sheikh Salman

Kuala Lumpur June 13 (QNA) - President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has encouraged participants at the joint FIFA-AFC seminar on the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup to take the knowledge learned from the four-day gathering back to their respective member associations to help develop the game in Asia. In addition to in depth tactical and technical analysis from last year’s tournament in Thailand there will be case studies on current Asian champions Japan and traditional powerhouse Iran as well as discussions on the issues surrounding futsal in Asia, including a strategic five-year plan for the development of the indoor game in the continent and the roles and responsibilities of the member associations. "This seminar is an excellent opportunity for futsal coaches and technical staff to tap into the knowledge of FIFA and AFC experts and to learn how top sides utilize the latest trends and methods while competing at the highest level. "Our futsal teams are becoming more and more competitive on the global stage and while we can take pride in this we must endeavor to improve so that one day we will see a team from Asia crowned world champions. "And this road to glory starts in each member association which is why it is imperative that the participants take what they learn here at the seminar and apply it to the development of futsal back in their own country." The conference, officially titled FIFA/AFC Futsal Seminar on the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 legacy for Asia, began in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday. AFC General Secretary Dato Alex Soosay has said that the rapid evolution of futsal in Asia can be attributed to the closing of the competitive gap between the traditional powers and the developing nations and has urged participants at the on-going FIFA-AFC seminar on the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup to make the most of the four-day conference in order to continue the development of the indoor game in the continent. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the FIFA/AFC Futsal Seminar on the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 legacy for Asia, which was also attended by Football Association of Malaysia General Secretary Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Dato Azzudin Ahmad and FIFA Head of Education and Technical Development Jurg Nepfer, Dato Alex (pictured) remarked: "The progress of Asian teams can be gauged from the fact that Asian futsal powerhouses can’t guarantee themselves success whenever they take to the court. The last futsal championship was a good example where Iran lost to Thailand in the semi-finals. "As our teams are making inroads in world futsal, the interest of fans is encouraging and the commercial value of these competitions is also showing an upward trend. "Our representatives Japan, Iran and hosts Thailand made it to the second round of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which is a good achievement but we still have a lot of work to do. Our teams need to improve technically and tactically and this is where this seminar will prove to be useful." Dato Alex has encouraged the seminar participants to learn as much as possible for the betterment of their respective national teams and Asia in general. "In the course of next four days, you will technically and tactically analyse the performance of FIFA Futsal World Cup and also compare the performance of our teams with that of the best in the world," continued the AFC General Secretary. "This will also give you a platform to share views and information on new methodology. "We also have assistant coach from world runners-up Spain who will share their development programmes and preparations ahead of the World Cup which the Asian teams and Member Associations can try to emulate." Dato Alex has concluded his remarks by expressing thanks to FIFA for organising the seminar that will go a long way in ensuring that Thailand 2012 would leave a great legacy for the Asian teams. "I would like to thank FIFA for organising this seminar which will surely benefit futsal development in Asia and all the speakers for sharing their knowhow," he said. "I am confident that all the participants will take advantage of this seminar and will put up an improved performance in their next international competition."(QNA)