First, this awesome news!
The Philippines will host the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup next year after the International Football Federation Congress made the official announcement two days ago. I don’t know how the country pulled this off, but who cares? This will definitely boost futsal, especially women’s, in the country that hopefully will also help football as well.
The name futsal came from Futbol Sala or Futebol de Salao. Alexander Para was credited with coining the word which is loosely translated as indoor soccer (fut from futebol and sala or salao which means indoor).
Futsal or five-a-side soccer originated in Montevideo in Uruguay when Juan Carlos Ceriano thought of a mini-version of soccer in 1930. Originally played in YMCAs, the game gained rapid popularity throughout South America especially in Brazil. Futsal games were held in basketball sized courts. The great Pele, Zico and other famous Brazilian soccer greats played futsal before making their names in the football pitch.
The initial futsal world championship was held, as expected, in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1982, since then the Brazilians have figured prominently in the championships. It was in 1989 that FIFA would eventually adopt the sport.
In the Philippines, the sport traces its roots in the 60s when it was played as part of training of football players indoors when they can’t play on the regular pitch when it rains.
Futsal was officially introduced in the country in the early 80s via an exhibition match organized by Manuel Tinio, then president of the Philippine Football Federation, Michael Keon of Gintong Alay program, San Miguel Corporation and a shoe brand with three stripes.
Futsal gained popularity due to its faster pace, creativity, level of skills and practicality. Unlike a regular pitch, futsal can be played, ironically but most welcome, inside a regular basketball court, whether in cement or wooden floor. The country’s rainy season somehow was also a factor in many ways. When kids can’t play football because of the rains due to the numerous typhoons the country usually has every year. They brought the sport inside the basketball courts. Even the streets provided good venues for futsal too.
Eventually, futsal became a training ground of sorts for future football players in the country. Former Azkals’ team captain and now One Taguig FC player Misagh Bahadoran honed first his soccer skills playing futsal. He, and good friend Sasan Maher, were members of the national futsal team before. Bahadoran eventually switched to football when he was recommended to try out for the Azkals. His futsal skills came in handy while playing for flag and country.
Moving forward, hosting of the first-ever Futsal world cup for women will definitely boost the sport to say the least. This will complement the current popularity of women’s football in the country which has sustained its momentum after the Filipinas, the women’s national football team, scored a win in their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year. With the country as the host, who knows what history will be set, this time by the women’s futsal team, when the world cup happens next year.
Good friend, classmate and Bedan brother Peter Lopez is set to open his basketball summer camp in June and July. His Audience of One Skills Academy will offer the basics, the rudiments, mindset and other worthy skills needed in basketball for boys aging from 12 years and under; 14 and under; 16 and under; and 18 and under. The camp will run for eight two hour sessions at the Alabang Hills Village Clubhouse (AHVC) Covered Court.
“This is different from your typical basketball camp simply because the modules are designed to address the level of skills of every individual player. It is going to be more of a transformational basketball rather than just learning how to shoot, pass or dribble the ball,” Lopez explained.
Aside from being an excellent follower of the sport, Lopez is also a top-selling author, he co-penned the best-selling Coach Joe Lipa’s Basketball 101. Application forms, for those interested to know how to improve their basketball game whether mentally or physically, are available at the AHVC office.
On a personal note, we would like to extend our condolences and prayers to the family of my Ninong Bert Dimson, who passed away two days ago. Ninong Bert was a very important person in my life. He was more than just a Bedan brother, a friend and a mentor. He was a great photographer and an equally good singer too. But more than these, he was like my second father especially during the time when I was starting my own family. I was supposed to be his apprentice for a wedding shoot before, but I was not able to do so because I got called to report for RPN 9 a day before the event. I could have gone to a different path if I showed up with my camera instead of going to Broadcast City then.
Rest in peace, Ninong Bert. You will be greatly missed. We love you very much.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
