PANAJI
It drew international football greats like Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Michel Salgado, Hernan Crespo, Cafu to grace the novel tourney as marquee signings across five of the six franchisees, while the sixth, Chennai 5s pencilled in Falcao - the sobriquetted Pele of Futsal.
Apart from other international futsalers and freestylers showcasing their skills at the event, it threw up Indian talents as well. These domestic players were scouted from trials held across the country. Among the Indian players three were from Goa - Fredsan Marshall, Caitano Fernandes and Michael Silva who represented their home team, Goa 5s.
After its grand success in its inaugural edition held in Chennai and Goa, it has to be recalled Premier Futsal Management had announced in a press release on August 30, 2016 that the second season of World's first Multi-National Futsal League would be bigger and better. It was also stated that it will be played in the first quarter of 2017 with eight franchises and across four cities.
The Premier Futsal Management had also made their intentions to host the league Bi-Annually from 2017 onwards. But legal wrangles with AIFF on its standing in the sporting sphere of the country provided a few hiccups to its ambitious plans.
According to a reliable source, it is believed that the trials for Season 2 will take place in Mumbai from September 15-October 1. And the continuity of six franchisees with big metros vying for top honours in season two are on the anvil. Thus effectively, while the axe fell on Goa as a participating regional side, the vacant slot it thus created will go to the new team from Delhi.
This would come as a huge disappointment to the burgeoning futsal scene in the State. Apart from no Goa franchisee in competition, the State also stands to lose hosting rights. It is believed that while the league matches are to be held in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, the semi-finals and finals will head internationally to Dubai.
