Courtesy: The Nation


Special effort needed to 'save' Futsal World Cup

October 14, 2012

Thailand's ability to host major sporting events is at stake

Instead of bringing pride to the nation, the international FIFA Futsal World Cup could be an embarrassment for Thailand. Although the first of match of the event is scheduled for November 1, the Bangkok Futsal Arena, the planned site for the competition, has not been completed.

The Futsal World Cup was supposed to be held at the Futsal Arena in Nong Chok. However, initial stages of the event now look likely to be held at other locations until the Bangkok Futsal Arena is completed. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) provided Bt1.3 billion to construct the stadium, which should hold up to 12,000 spectators. The organising committee hopes to the stadium will be completed before the quarterfinal round. But it remains uncertain if that is possible.

The BMA had hoped that the 7th Futsal World Cup would generate positive publicity for Bangkok and Thailand. In March 2010, Thailand beat other countries such as China, Iran, Azerbaijan, the Czech republic and Guatemala for the right to host the world's biggest futsal tournament this year. Adisak Benjasiriwan, then chairman of the Thai Futsal Committee, was instrumental in bringing the world event to Thailand. Athletes from 32 countries, including Thailand, will join the event from November 1-18.

However, preparations for the tournament were hit by many problems that caused delays and now risk Thailand's capacity to be a good host. It started with an internal issue within the futsal association. Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand and a Thailand Trade Representative for the Yingluck government, replaced Adisak with Thirachai Wuthitham, who also reorganised the Thai futsal team. Suwat Liptapanlop was named as head of organising committee.

Meanwhile, there were issues in regard to ownership of the land in Nong Chok, which Worawi said he had donated for the stadium to be built on. The change of the government led to the budget to be cut from Bt1.6 billion to Bt1.3 billion. Then construction was set back further by flooding.

This prompted the BMA and local organising panel to revise the plan to host the event. The organisers opted to use other sites as venues for the event but hoped that Bangkok Futsal Arena might be ready before the quarter-final matches.

In fact, the FIFA Futsal World Cup should be celebrated by the nation for the top athletes to showcase their skills in Thailand. Aspiring athletes and children should be inspired by the presence of top international players coming to play in Thailand.

But the celebrative mood has been tainted by chagrin over the delay and changes. The BMA had planned to hand over Bangkok Futsal Arena on 21 October, but the construction was delayed by recent flooding. It remains unclear if the stadium will be ready by the quarterfinal round. Until then, the event will be played in three sites: Hua Mark Indoor Stadium and Nimibutr Gymnasium and in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Now that we have missed the opportunity to use the new stadium to launch the event, the organising committee should also look at other aspects to ensure the FIFA Futsal World Cup is a success in Thailand and ensure that the budget is well spent to create positive effects.

For instance, facility management and traffic management between the three venues should be arranged effectively to try to maximise success of the event. Advertising and promotion of the event should be done to keep the public informed, as this is one of the biggest sport events in Thailand.

Any hiccups and delays should also serve as a lesson for the Local Organising Committee and the Thai Futsal Association to be better prepared in the future. After all, this is an opportunity for Thailand to promote the nation to the world and show our ability to host big sports event.



Courtesy: The Bangkok Post


Rush to finish “almost ready” stadium

13/10/2012

To the untrained eye, the Bangkok Futsal Arena looks to be weeks or months away from being finished, but Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra insists it will be ready by October 21. (Includes video)

Construction workers are putting the final touches to Bangkok's showpiece venue for the 2012 Fifa Futsal World Cup after its construction fell behind schedule.

The 12,000 all-seater capacity Bangkok Futsal Arena in Nong Chok is due to be handed over to 2012 Fifa Futsal World Cup organisers in a little more than a week. Seats and a scoreboard were being installed yesterday, and the area outside the stadium is being developed.

Construction on the site was initially delayed because of the October 2011 floods, with further problems caused by more heavy rain in recent weeks and the threat of the Gaemi weather system hitting Thailand's capital.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Friday promised no more delays in construction before the handover to Fifa on Oct 21.

"All main construction has finished. Now workers are working only on details," the governor said. "I can confirm that Fifa will get the stadium on Oct 21."

Fifa officials will arrive in Bangkok on Oct 20 for a handing-over ceremony and decide whether the arena will be ready for the competition by Oct 25.

Thailand hosts the 24-nation tournament from Nov 1-18.

The Bangkok Futsal Arena had been earmarked as the competition's main venue but the delays in building it prompted Fifa to order a switch to the 15,000-capacity Indoor Stadium Hua Mak, where the opening ceremony will now take place on Nov 1.

Other venues for the tournament are Nimitbutr Gymnasium in Bangkok and Chatichai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Indoor Stadium Hua Mak, Nimitbutr Gymnasium and Chatichai Hall will host the group phase and round-of-16 matches, with the Bangkok Futsal Arena scheduled to host its first game on Nov 14 when the tournament reaches the quarter-final stage.

Thailand are in Group A with Paraguay, Ukraine and Costa Rica. The hosts will take on Costa Rica on the tournament's opening day.





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