THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
In a significant step to strengthen the futsal ecosystem in Asia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently conducted the five-day AFC Futsal Tutors Seminar 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Among the participants was Joshuah Stan Vaz, the only Indian AFC Futsal Tutor and the only Indian to hold the Level 3 Futsal Coaching License, currently the highest coaching credential in Asian futsal. Vaz has independently conducted eight AFC Level 1 courses since April 2022, including two overseas programs in Timor Leste and Bhutan.
The seminar brought together 18 participants from across Asia, including representatives from Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Leading the sessions were AFC experts such as Takahiro Komori, Head of Futsal AFC, Dr. Shahabeddin Sofalmanesh, Wai Chung Tsang, Chiew Chun Yong, and Baba Motonori.
The comprehensive curriculum covered coaching methodology, player development, tactics, sports science, and goalkeeping. Classroom sessions were paired with on-field activities, testing participants’ skills in ball control, dribbling, and shooting, ensuring they could translate theory into practical coaching applications.
A key feature of the seminar involved participants preparing and delivering presentations on topics such as game transitions, individual techniques, and data collection, followed by constructive peer feedback to refine instructional delivery. Group exercises, including role-playing as coaches and tutors, allowed participants to gain hands-on experience in session design while learning from their peers.
The seminar underscores AFC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing futsal by equipping tutors with the latest knowledge and practical expertise to grow the sport across the continent.
