Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) The Futsal association of India (FAI) on Monday entered into a strategic partnership with United States Futsal Federation (USFF) where the former will receive technical support to further develop the sport in the country.
USFF, incorporated in 1981, is responsible for extensive growth of Futsal in the United States and will lend wealth of its experience to the FAI. Currently the USFF has 40,000 members and 112,000 active registered players across all state association and leagues.
In addition to the knowledge support, the tie-up will include talent exchange programs, wherein Indian players will receive the opportunity to participate in developmental camps in the United States.
Namdev Shirgaonkar, vice-president of Asociación Mundial de Futsal and founding president of FAI said.
"We are proud to be associated with United States Futsal Federation. This is a landmark development for Indian Futsal that strengthens our commitment to grow the sport in the country. We look forward to more and more youth the Futsal family in India," FAI founding president Namdev Shirgaonkar, who is also the vice-president of the world federation, said.
Expressing his views on the partnership, Alexander J.C Para, the president and CEO of USSF said, "Futsal is one of the fastest growing indoor sport in the world which requires exceptional physical fitness and quick thinking. In the US, with our direction, we have seen it grow multifold and given increasing sporting appetite of Indian consumer, I'm certain FAI will lead the sport to mainstream attention in the country."
