Five-A-Side Futsal Level One training course

Fungai Muderere
THE Southern Region Five- A-side League will for the second time in two years hold a five-day Zifa Futsal Level One training course for coaches, referees and administrators from 5 to 10 June at Fatima High School in Matabeleland North.

The inaugural Level One course was held in the region late last year at Football For Hope Centre located in Bulawayoa��s Gwabalanda suburb where Gibson Homela, Weekly Mwale and formerA� national Five-A-Side assistant coach Enock Mutuma were facilitators.

a�?We are happy that we will be able to host the course for the second time in the region. We are looking forward to seeing schools sending representatives. Sports writers are also encouraged to attend the course,a�? said Southern Region Five-A-side League chairman Philani Banda.

He lamented the lack of training for the current crop of stakeholders.

a�?We have structures in place but lack of training for our coaches, referees and administrators has continuously hindered the development of the game. Just like the one held in Bulawayo, the course will be divided into theory and practical sessions and only participants that pass the tests will be awarded certificates,a�? added Banda.

He said this was all in an effort to spread knowledge about the game and they would soon conduct a similar course in Bubi District.

Despite being founded five years ago the Southern Region Five-A-side League has failed to run smoothly over the years with the league programme sometimes abandoned half way into a season due to financial constraints and lack of a proper administration set-up.

Nationally the game is run by the Futsal and Beach Soccer committee chairman Felton Kamambo.

Five-A-side football is played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regular football due to the surface of the field. The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.