National Men's Futsal team to China for indoor training

The National Men's Futsal team has had a training camp arranged for them in China for indoor training in order to prepare for the upcoming SAFF Futsal Championship in January.

Futsal is an indoor game. While popularity is high in Maldives, there is no futsal-specific arena in Maldives.

The National Men's Futsal team is being trained by Uzbekistan Coach Farrukh Zakirov at the mini turf next to Hulhumale' Rehendhi School.

The team is leaving for China after having practiced at the mini turf for about a month.

FAM acknowledged the Chinese Embassy in Maldives and China's football association's role in making training arrangements for the Maldivian National Men's Futsal team. Chinese Embassy's Chargé d’Affaires He Fen has met with the futsal team.

The futsal team will be leaving for China tomorrow. They will be travelling to Thailand via the China route. The first SAFF Futsal competition will be held in Bangkok.

Both the Men's and Women's Division will be held simultaneously. The Maldives National Women's Futsal team have begun practice in preparation for the competition. FAM has not set up a training camp for the Women's team as of yet.

The competition will be held from 13th January to 26th January, with the first match being played between the Maldives and India's Women's teams. The Men's Division will see Maldives play against Pakistan.

Media organizations in SAFF countries have questioned as to why the competition is being held outside of a SAFF nation. SAFF's Secretary General Purushottam Kattel stated that South Asia does not have the resources for futsal and beach soccer.

"South Asia is further behind in terms of futsal and beach soccer compared to other regions," said Purushottam Kattel.

"We have come to the realization that there is a difficulty in procuring futsal officials compared to other regions, so it is important we begin developing the sport within our region."