The first-ever Guwahati Futsal Festival witnessed an encouraging response as futsal enthusiasts turned up in numbers to witness the festival. The first season witnessed participation of 48 teams with around 4,000 spectators taking part in the two-day event.
Organised at the Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium in Dispur on April 10-11, the event kicked-off with an exhibition match between News 18 and the GFF organizing committee where the media house stood victorious by a 7-6 margin in a penalty shoot-out.
The exhibition match was followed by six stages of championship where Narengi FC claimed the top spot defeating Flamingo FC by 7-6 margin in a penalty shootout.
The event also witnessed Sonu Chetry and Himagshu Chauhan dribble their way through freestyle championship held during the event. Rahul Ingti of Narengi FC claimed the top scorer title by scoring 8 goals and Pritam Regon of Rural Soccer Club (A) claimed the title of best goalkeeper in the futsal spectacle held under the aegis of Premier Futsal.
Apart from Guwahati, teams from Bongaigaon, Nagaon, Morigaon, North Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Baksa, Musalpur, Nalbari and several other parts of Assam participated in the event.
The event also witnessed the presence noter singer and music composer Zubeen Garg, Babu, footballer Durga Boro and vice-president at Premier Futsal Sabari Nair.
Initiated by Kaustove Moni Kakoti, Kaustab Chakraborty and Lio Sengrang, the trio aimed to promote football and outdoor sports among the youth from the region. Expressing fulfilment at encouraging response, Kaustab Chakraborty said, “I am at awe to witness such prodigious participation of teams from all over Assam. We are grateful to Sport Authority of Assam, Assam Youth Futsal Association and all our supporters who had helped us in making ends meet. We are hopeful to organise the second edition of the GFF in a much bigger way next year.”
The tournament was played in 5-a-side format as per the rules of Futsal Association of India.
