Will find more opportunities for futsal players: Thoriq

FAM President Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) has said that work will be done to find more opportunities for futsal players in order to improve themselves.

Futsal is a branch of football. FIFA is still futsal's main agency at an international level. However, Maldivian futsal rests outside the touchline of FIFA.

Thoriq gave an interview to PSM after the SAFF Futsal Championship win, stating that FAM will find more opportunities for futsal players so they can improve themselves. FAM's football calendar this year has tabled a beach soccer competition as well, along with futsal. 

Thoriq has reiterated that FAM will announce a futsal tournament this season at a national level.

He stated that Maldivian futsal players are skillful. Thoriq said that FAM believes that that skill can be brought out in the form of a team with the aid of an experienced foreign coach.

"I have noticed that their skill is quite good. We believe that if we find a foreign coach for the players and give opportunities to these players, Maldivian players will have the skill to win regional cups," said Thoriq.

"When work had begun from that point forward, I noticed and told the team after meeting them when their practice sessions had begun to work as a team. If they do work as a team, Maldives has the chance to win cups. And so, they should work towards that end."

Thoriq went on to say that from that point forward and until now, the players have worked as a very disciplined team.

"Maldives is playing as a very disciplined team that aids each other. I would like to highlight that especially futsal players, team coaches and officials worked to win the cup," said Thoriq.

Uzbekistan Women's Futsal Team coach Farukh Zakirov was brought in to instruct the Maldives national futsal team for the SAFF Futsal Championship. Zakirov is an experienced professional who also works with the Uzbek Futsal League club, Neftchi. His temporary release from Neftchi for the Maldivian assignment was agreed upon between the club and FAM.

Zakirov will be working with the Maldives team until the end of the month. Zakirov, who helped the Uzbekistan team qualify for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup, will see his work with Maldives come to an end. He will then return to work with Neftchi and Uzbekistan's national team.

Thoriq has said that their championship win with the help of Zakirov is a very strong step in progressing futsal. He also said that FAM will work to recruit help from foreign coaches in the future in order to further improve the quality of Maldives' futsal players.

"This cup is the strongest step that has been taken by the futsal community with the FAM for the work that needs to be done for the future," stated Thoriq.

"FAM will announce a futsal competition this season within the coming days. FAM will also work to further develop the skill of players with the help of foreign coaches."

Maldives will be playing against Sri Lanka tomorrow for their final match at 4:30pm (Maldives time).