The new futsal court at J.S. Blatter Complex in Tuanaimato was inaugurated today, Friday 23 August, by OFC President and FIFA Vice-President David Chung in front of an audience which included Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii and FFS President Savae Togia Toetu Petana and other members of the executive. Also present was FIFA Development Officer Glenn Turner who played an instrumental role in bringing the court to Samoa.
The new outdoor, surfaced futsal court is a huge achievement for Samoa, and the Oceania region as a whole, as it is the first of its kind in any Pacific Island country. In the past the region’s futsal courts were grass or concrete, with this surface being the closest to a traditional indoor futsal playing surface.
FFS CEO Sarai Bareman opened the day’s proceedings, welcoming everyone to the complex to help celebrate a world class facility and mark a momentous occasion in the history of football in Samoa.
Bareman was followed by Father Vilo Hansell who conducted a moving opening prayer in which he blessed the court and everyone who will use it as they build up their skills and talents, before OFC President David Chung gave his official address.
“This futsal playing court is a unique project in the Oceania region that combines local construction contractors with the special playing surface supplied and installed by a company based in the United States of America,” he said.
“And as you can witness – the end result is a magnificent facility.”
Chung said it was a sincere pleasure to be representing both FIFA and OFC to officially open a facility that will be of significant benefit in the development of young players as well as a fast, exciting addition to the rota for senior players, both men and women.
“The vision of OFC is to popularise football in the region and to encourage Grassroots and Youth-aged players to participate in well-structured and purposeful activities,” he said.
“Futsal, the official FIFA five-a-side indoor football game is a welcome addition to the activities of the federation here in Samoa and a game that OFC wishes to develop with such facilities throughout the region.
“Of course, we will also encourage the identification and development of talent at the Grassroots and Youth levels in futsal that can be transferred to their development and performance in the traditional 11-a-side game.”
Chung also took the opportunity to applaud and express his sincere thanks to the FFS president and executive for their tremendous efforts and achievements as they have worked towards restoring credibility to the sport over the past three years.
“For your endeavours we wish you all the best and confirm that the development programmes of FIFA and OFC will always be available to support and assist you, however the ‘ownership’ must be accepted by the local football family.”
OFC futsal and beach soccer development officer Paul Toohey also spoke, giving some insight into the game, which is new to many, before explaining its history, role and future in the Oceania region.
The plaque commemorating the occasion was unveiled by Chung and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii before participants of an OFC Futsal Development Course received were awarded their certificates of participation.
A cultural performance kept the crowd entertained as those course participants prepared for a demonstration game, becoming the first official users of the newly inaugurated futsal court.
The court has been funded through the FIFA Development Office as a FIFA Goal IV Project, with the first three projects in the country comprising of the FFS fields, headquarters and floodlights respectively.
This fourth project is unique in that it is the first time two projects have been incorporated in one. The futsal court is one part with the Savai’i Regional Technical Centre completing the project. The party which attended today’s opening in Apia will travel to Savai’I tomorrow for the official inauguration of the new technical centre.
The construction phase of the futsal court was completed by Qing-Dao Construction, a local company, and the surface of the playing court was supplied and installed by Connor Sport International, a company based in the United States of America.
FFS expects to make good use of the new facility with plans underway to launch a futsal league, a business-house league and the FFS Centres of Development, boys and girls, will also incorporate sessions on the court into their training schedules.

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