Football: ‘Futsal an option for CWG’

Football or futsal have never featured at a Commonwealth Games, which will be hosted by Glasgow in 2014.

SINGAPORE: Five-a-side indoor football, known as futsal, could feature in the Commonwealth Games after CGF President Prince Tunku Imran backed its inclusion amid calls from member associations for football to be added to the Games programme.

The Malaysian, a former squash national champion, said futsal could be a cheaper option for hosts of the mutli-sport event held every four years for more than 70 countries, mostly of the former British Empire.

“The African countries want football to be played in the Games but the logistics and costs involved will be an obstacle,” said Imran.

“Futsal would be a better option as the number of players and officials per team is fewer and playing indoors also has its benefits. Futsal is also a very popular sport as well.”

Football or futsal have never featured at a Commonwealth Games, which will be hosted by the Scottish city of Glasgow in 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2013.