Courtesy: Bangkok Post


Countdown to Futsal World Cup begins

18/01/2012

Thailand yesterday began its official countdown to the Fifa Futsal World Cup and unveiled the logo and mascot for the event to be held in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima in November.

Under the slogan "Siamese Smile", the 24-team championship will take place from Nov 2-18 at Nimibutr gymnasium and Indoor Stadium in Bangkok and His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The final is scheduled to be held at a new stadium in Bangkok's Nong Chok district.

The mascot is an elephant and the organisers will hold a public competition to decided its name.

"Hosting the Fifa Futsal World Cup is a great opportunity for Thailand," said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who presided over yesterday's function.

"It is a big event and it is important for us to make it a success.

"There are a lot of people who play futsal in Thailand and the event should encourage more people to play sports in general and futsal in particular."

Thai football chief Worawi Makudi said: "The event will make Thailand more well known throughout the sporting world."

The tournament will be divided into six four-team groups and the official draw will be made in August.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Nong Chok stadium would be ready in time.

Fifa representative Jaime Yarza, who is in Bangkok to inspect the stadiums, said he was happy to see the construction progress being made at the Nong Chok stadium but he added that he was not sure if the stadium would be ready in time for the event.

However, the Bangkok governor did move to assure him that it would be completed by October.

Yarza will return to Thailand in May to make a further stadium inspection.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com