Courtesy: The AFC.com


Japanese women take up futsal

Saturday, 22 September 2012

Tokyo: More women in Japan are taking up futsal which is growing fast not only among men abut also women as more facilities and playing opportunities are created in the East Asian nation.

An AFC MA and Club Futsal Development Assessment Visit delegation on Saturday visited one of the top futsal arenas in Japan, the Yoyogi National Stadium Futsal Court.

The stadium’s operations manager Masataka Watanabe has said that the game is gaining more attention from women not only in Tokyo but also the whole nation.

"I can see that women's futsal is growing in Tokyo and the whole of Japan,” he said. “Take Yoyogi for example, there are so many females coming to play futsal here after work, with most of them are office ladies.

“During weekends, the response is even more overwhelming, no matter in games or the weekly coaching clinics. This is a clear sign that Japan women's futsal is picking up steam.

“The most interesting fact is, most of them are playing with men, they have certainly improved a lot by doing so.

“Because of the growing popularity of futsal among females, we've created a women's Futsal League and the games are played twice a month.

“Judging from what I see, I can predict a bright future for Japan women's futsal."

The AFC delegation, accompanied by JFA Competitions Department representative Tetsuro Fukuda, earlier attended a Kanto Regional League match between Bardral Urayasu 'B' and Kashiwa TOR'82 at the Sumida City Gymnasium, which ended 0-0.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Kanto Futsal Federation Chief Director, Eiju Matsumura and its Secretary General, Hiroyuki Ando.

Kanto Regional League is one of nine Regional Leagues in Japan, with the Regional League being the second tier of Japan Futsal League after the F-League.

Matsumura is pleased with the development of the Kanto League, saying: "The overall standard and attendance of the Kanto League is pleasing but we can do even more and better if we can attract more sponsors on board.

“However, I believe that we are heading in the right direction and we are happy to be able to contribute to the development of Japanese futsal."

AFC Futsal Director Ali Targholizade who is heading the AFC delegation, is impressed with the infrastructure and facilities in Japanese futsal.

"I am very much impressed by Japan's futsal infrastructure and facilities and also their fan base, no matter whether the Regional League or the F-League. It is easy to see why they have come of age in this game.

“I can only see more improvement to Japan's futsal with their continuous effort to develop futsal. They are certainly a role model for other member associations to follow."

The delegation concluded the day’s activities by watching an F-League match between Fuchu Athletics and Shonan Bellmare in the Fuchu City Gymnasium before moving from Tokyo to Osaka.

The four-day visit started Thursday aims to review current AFC Futsal MAs’ activities and procedures, to study the development of futsal in Asia, to exchange futsal experiences among MAs and synchronise top-level MAs’ futsal activities, among others.

Japan is the first member association to receive the assessment visit.






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