Five-A-Side league to start today

with 10 teams lined up for an exciting and challenging 18-week journey.
It will end with the formation of a national team to participate in the qualifiers for next year’s African Futsal Championships.
FASL director for development and training, Frank Farakeza, said five matches will be played at the complex today to mark the official opening of the season.
“Saturday (today) will mark the official launch of the league programme.
“All the matches will be played at Mbare Netball Complex but plans are afoot to spread the game to other areas.
“We are still negotiating with the authorities to get the green light to use the facilities at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex and Milton Park Bowling Club.
“We are hoping to end the season on November 18,” said Farakeza.
Harare Province will also welcome a new baby in the form of Sunningdale-based outfit, Toramari, who are joining the five-aside fraternity for the first time.
The newboys will open their account against seasoned campaigners Buccaneers in the first match of the day while 2009 champions Power Five take on Shibobo.
But the league, which has been battling to attract serious sponsors since the withdrawal of their traditional partners Copy World two years ago, has suffered a disturbing trend as it has been shrinking in numbers. They had 13 teams last season, down from 16 in the 2009 season, when Power Five finished on top of the table.
Farakeza said structures were in order for the new season to begin and revealed that they will hold the traditional Heroes Day Trophy next month and an inter-provincial tournament, among the highlights of the season.
“Lack of sponsorship is a major factor affecting the league but the love of the game has kept the clubs going. “Some individuals have been bankrolling teams from their own pockets in difficult circumstances.
“There is a tournament that has been planned to take place during the season and we are negotiating with a potential sponsor.
“In fact we have agreed in principle and hopefully everything will materialise as planned.
“We should also have an inter-provincial tournament against teams from the Bulawayo league.
“That tournament will provide the platform to select players for national team duty. “It’s going to be exciting because everyone wants to play for the national team after such a long absence in international competitions,” said Farakeza.
Zimbabwe have entered a team for the 2012 African Futsal Championships in Libya and are waiting for communication from Caf on the qualifying procedures.
FASL petitioned Zifa to enter the team for the continental games as Zimbabwe last took part in international Futsal events in 1998 when they narrowly missed a World Cup slot after coming third in the qualifiers held in Egypt.
“There are quality players out there and we are in the process of identifying coaches,” said Farakeza.
FASL are also battling to spread the game to all provinces through capacity building programmes.
They have been running coaching courses in various provinces and have also targeted the grassroots.
Fixtures
Today
Buccaneers v Toramari, Hurricanes v Man Utd, Shibobo v Power Five, Highfield Galaxy v Corner Office, Oceans Seven v Inter-Mbare