'Huge challenge' ahead for official

Filling up the stadiums from the start of the competition is the one of the most important tasks ahead for tournament director Salah Tahlak.

"The one biggest challenge for me would be to see people coming and watching this world-class competition of stars from the opening day (November 16) till the final (November 22)," Tahlak said after the draw ceremony was held for the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.

The 16 participating teams have been divided into four groups with the first round of games kicking off at 1:30pm on the first three days of the competition.

"There is a possibility of changing the match times a bit, but this will have to be done at a later date while keeping in mind the television audiences, especially in Europe," Tahlak said.

For the first time in the short history of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup tournament, the early group matches will be held simultaneously at two playing fields. "The seating capacity will be just 5,000 and this figure should not be a problem to achieve," Tahlak said.

The organisers are even prepared with an alternative plan, should they fail to attract the crowds. "In a worst case scenario, we can have school children come and watch the competition.

Besides the crowd is only 5,000 and that is not much. We are sure we can bring in the crowds," confided the tournament director.