Excitement at the start of the regional Futsal League

South African Futsal Association (Saifa) president Poobie Govindasamy was pleased that matches could officially get underway last weekend, but he also highlighted the ongoing issues facing the sport.

According to Govindasamy, who is a member of Safa’s national executive committee, with the establishment of the National Futsal League, Saifa smoothly launched the KZN Regional Futsal League, with matches held at Mannie’s Garage in Pietermaritzburg and at the Tongaat Sports Centre.

Govindasamy said if the issue of shortage of indoor facilities is not fully addressed, the fast-growing indoor football (futsal) sector is likely to face numerous challenges.

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The fact is that futsal is growing very fast. It is also being played all over the country and the world. This is also evident in the interest, excitement, buzz and the huge support we get every time our matches are one. The sad thing on the other hand … is that we have a shortage of indoor football facilities around KZN, especially in Pietermaritzburg.

“This issue really needs to be resolved urgently, otherwise the sport is in trouble and it can seriously affect us in the future. The few that are in the city are not owned by the Msunduzi Local Municipality and are very difficult to access. There is also the problem of sports facilities in our area that are in total chaos,” he said.

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Govindasamy also said that he had a conversation with the city’s deputy mayor, Mxolisi Mkhize, some time ago about the local YMCA’s Errol Mantle Indoor Sports Centre.

We want to use this facility, but we do not have access to it. The deputy mayor is aware of this.

Meanwhile, during the matches at Mannie’s Garage (Pietermaritzburg), Maritzburg Hotspurs defeated Hugo’s FC 5-1 and Young Natalians were defeated 7-6 by Durban Boys.

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In Tongaat, New Era defeated eThekwini City FC 9-5. In the other match, Belchester FC defeated Tongaat Suburbs FC 9-1.

A few months ago, Mkhize indicated that he would launch a special project to inspect all local sports facilities.

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KZN Regional Futsal League General Secretary Jay Rangiah said all teams and supporters were happy with the start of the regional competition and the standard of competition.

The regional competition is on the rise and has created a high level of competition between the eight provincial teams.