Organisers look to attract families to Futsal event

Dubai: The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) aims to create a family atmosphere at the AFC Futsal Championship — which will be held in Dubai from May 25 to June 1 — in a bid to attract fans to the continental competition.

Emirati Budriya Faisal is leading the marketing drive for the event, which will see 16 teams from around Asia compete for the title at the Al Wasl and Al Shabab club indoor halls, with the best four also qualifying for the 2012 Fifa Futsal World Cup in Thailand in November.

And Faisal hopes the five-a-side competition will attract the attention of families. "We want to make this a tournament for families," she said.

"There will be a complete experience of Futsal through a special ‘Fan Zone' at the entrance of Al Wasl Club, with a range of activities including heritage stalls, varied activities for children and outlets with food and beverages.

"Sometimes it is not just about the money, but the ideas conceived to make a success of an event."

Marketing team

Expatriate UAE residents from each of the 15 visiting nations will be targeted by the DSC marketing team, as well as embassies, clubs, social institutions, universities and schools, as they bid to promote the comparatively new sport.

"In addition, we are heavily into the use of Facebook and Twitter, along with small teaser ads that are already on air on various television channels," Faisal added.