ES Reporter
ITANAGAR, Aug 21: The state’s first official Futsal team to represent Arunachal in the first-ever mixed-gender Futsal League, at Northeast Futsal League (NEFL) set to kick-off on August 25 at the NC Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
The seven-member team from the state under the aegis of Arunachal Highlanders is being coached by Mario Navarro Penlver from Spain. There are three female and four male players in the team and they are being managed by Tumken Sora. The proprietor of the team is Byabang Joram.
The players include Byabang Agio, Giani Ramching Mara, Hage Takang (Goalkeeper), Karlo Bui, Romik Tapa, Taba Sama, and Langda Mina.
Speaking to the media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here, team’s managing director Langda Mina, who is also the founder of the Arunachal Highlanders and a committee member of the NEFL, informed that the seven-day tournament will go on till August 31 and will feature six teams which are Meghalaya Thunders, Assam Titans, Mizo Falcons, Apunba Manipur, Nagaland Super 5 and Arunachal Highlanders.
Futsal is basically football with a twist, it's a five a side game which includes one goalkeeper for each side, with a smaller pitch, mostly played in indoor stadiums and with a smaller ball, The smaller pitch and close contacts make the game more interesting and engaging.