The AFC delegation team were welcomed by the Oman Football Association (OFA) President HE Shaikh Salem Said Salem Al Wahaibi, who said that the sport has continuously improved in recent years: “Under the supervision of the AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, football, beach soccer and futsal have developed rapidly in Asia.

“Futsal and beach soccer have become a popular sport in the world, and we request the AFC to assist us in developing the sport in Oman.”

He added that the OFA is looking at ways to organise domestic futsal and beach soccer tournaments and leagues with the cooperation of the OFA and AFC.

Berdimyrat Nurmyradov, the Technical Director of FFT, highlighted the importance of the course as Turkmenistan prepares to host the AFC Futsal Championship 2020 for the first time from February 26 to March 8.

With the 16th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship set to be staged in Turkmenistan next February, the workshop provided updates for the benefit of the Directors and their respective Member Associations.

The five-day workshop's focus is on the introduction of the Futsal Club Licensing System for The Iranian Futsal Super League as well as club administration, marketing media, security.

“We should give our full support and effort towards this assessment visit. I also believe there’s plenty of room for improvement in the development of futsal in Malaysia," said FAM General Secretary Stuart Michael Ramalingam.

AFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Senior Development Officer Jacob Joseph Biggs emphasised the importance of futsal as the foundation of football and thanked FAM for its cooperation.

"The AFC feels strongly that Malaysia has excellent potential to succeed in the ASEAN region and I would like to thank FAM for their full cooperation and hospitality,” said Biggs.

Eleven participants with grassroots and youth team coaching backgrounds are taking part in the six-day course aimed at equipping coaches with the latest coaching methods and best practices.

Co-organised by Goa Youth Futsal Academy, GOA Football Association and the All India Football Federation, participants will go through practical, theoretical and practical exams to complete the course.

The seminar is aimed at empowering the development of Asian in line with the AFC’s Vision and Mission to be the best Confederation.

Fourteen participants from Australia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Korea Republic, Iraq, Lebanon and Hong Kong are taking part in the 11-day seminar instructed by Spain’s Jesus Candelas and Ceasar Mendez.

“Futsal is a constantly developing sport and for the AFC, we are committed to offering our support and services, and these seminars are yet another initiative towards this cause.

"I would like to thank UEFA for appointing the speakers for this seminar and also for accepting us to observe the UEFA Futsal Champions League final, which will surely benefit the development of futsal in Asia,” said Ali Targholizadeh, Head of the AFC Futsal & Beach Soccer Development.