India's Premier Futsal to make Dubai debut in August

Dubai has always welcomed a galaxy of sporting stars and events, with open arms, increasing its bludgeoning reputation as a one of the major sporting destinations in the world.

And now, the city will play gracious hosts to one of India's rising leagues - Premier Futsal.

Backed by none other than FC Barcelona and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo, the semifinals and final of the second edition will be played out in Dubai in August, with the venue tentatively being Al Nasr Club.

Premier Futsal and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) have come together to make this possible. This marks the second time that a part of an Indian sports league will reach these shores after a segment of Indian cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL) was played in the UAE in 2014.

Premier Futsal's debut season saw six teams - Bengaluru 5s, Chennai 5s, Goa 5s, Kochi 5s, Kolkata 5s and Mumbai 5s - battle it out across two venues - Chennai and Goa.

Each team consists of three international Futsal players, one international marquee football player and one Indian Futsal player.

The first year saw Argentina's Hernan Crespo as the marquee player for Kolkata, England's Paul Scholes for Bengaluru, Brazil's Cafu for Goa, Spaniard Michel Salgado for Kochi, England Ryan Giggs for Mumbai and Alessandro Rosa Vieira (Falcao) for Chennai.

Mumbai emerged as champions in the inaugural edition.

"We are pleased to host Premier Futsal as part of our own programme of the Dubai Sports Council. We have a number of sporting events right through the year, totalling 450 activities in a year. This is a unique figure in Dubai. We always strive to be number 1, which is our favourite number," Saeed Mohammad Hareb, General Secretary of the DSC, said at a press conference.

"It is a great privilege for me to associate Premier Futsal with the Dubai Sports Council. The first time I was here in Dubai was in 1999 and I've seen the country develop by leaps and bounds. I'm also amazed by the way that the country supports sports and it is truly one of the top sporting destinations in the world. Premier Futsal is privileged to be in a place like Dubai," said Luis Figo, who is the President of Premier Futsal.

"This is a unique project because it has professional players and legends who will be playing alongside the youth. It will be broadcast in 75 countries which is amazing for futsal," he added.

Meanwhile, Xavier Britto, Chairman of Premier Futsal said: "It is a fantastic and important moment in the journey of Premier Futsal and we extend our thanks to the Dubai Sports Council. But for Luis Figo, this wouldn't have been possible. We are delighted that the Dubai Sports Council have taken up this event.

"Also, it is the vision of Dubai to have this kind of sports and I'm sure it will be very successful."

Dubai Sports channel will be the official broadcasting partners to air the semifinals and final.

Source: Khaleej Times