The South African Men’s Futsal team have been drawn alongside side host nation Argentina, Italy and Australia in Group C of the Futsal World Cup, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Reon Siyaya, 37, from Belhar in Cape Town and Johannesburg based coach Lee Carter will take charge of the South African senior team at the Futsal World Cup in Argentina next month.
A total of 12 players will be representing the country on the global stages, which consists of eight players from the Gauteng Province, three from Western Cape and one from Eastern Cape.
South Africa is relatively new to Futsal and this will be their first Men’s Futsal World Cup.
However, last year the South African C20 team to the World Cup in Colombia, where they exceeded all expectations and by reaching the quarter-final of the tournament
The South African Futsal Federation (SAFF) also confirmed that they have received sponsors for their participation in the World Cup, they have since released the following statement:
Futsal is growing at a rapid pace in South Africa and we have now landed some sponsors to assist us with the development of Futsal in our country. There are many clubs and youth programs being setup and facilities identified to enable us to develop and compete on the International stage.
We are receiving invites on a weekly basis to compete in club tournaments and youth events around the world; for the age categories C13 to C19. There is also a C17 Futsal World Cup next year, 2020, of which South Africa has bid to host the World Cup.
Since 2008, a women’s tournament is also held. As of 2017, only three tournaments have been played: the 2008 edition in Catalonia, the 2013 edition in Colombia and the 2017 edition held once again in Catalonia. The South African Futsal Federation will also be growing the ladies Futsal in our country to compete internationally.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners in helping us realize our dream of participating at the Men’s Futsal WorldCup.
• Tab Betting World – Main sponsors
• Advanced Sports Performance – Sports Science
• The Chill Tub – Recovery
• Molten – Balls
To get involved in Futsal in your region, contact [email protected]. We are constantly on the lookout for players, teams and clubs of all ages to participate in Futsal. You could be good enough to represent your country at this year’s C13 World Cup in Barcelona, or the C17 World Cup in 2020.