First Experience of Futsal by BLIA South Island Sports Club

To promote healthy living and to encourage members to take up sports activities, on the 7^th July, members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island Sports Club organised their first Futsal game in St Thomas Indoor Stadium Christchurch. BLIA South Island Vice Presidents Lih-Son Ding and James Low, together with BLIA South Island members and BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD) members totalling more than 10, participated in the activity. On hand to coach the participants was Ronan Naicker from the Mainland Football. Before the start of the game, Ronan briefed the participants on the basic technics and the rules and regulations involved in the game of Futsal. According to him, Futsal is very different from traditional Football in that there are only 5 players to each side. As such, every player, except tor the goal keeper, will have to play the role of forward, mid-field and defence all at the same time, running throughout the court to ensure efficient execution of the game.

In the subsequent friendly games, members were divided into 2 teams playing against each other using the technics taught by Ronan earlier. After undergoing 2 strenuous games, the players experienced physical exhaustion but were rewarded with spiritual rejuvenation. This first taste of Futsal had indeed ignited the enthusiasm of BLIA members in sports and they promised to arrange for another Futsal game next week. Meanwhile, BLIA South Island Sports Club is looking into exploring other sports activities that will benefit different age groups of its members.