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The upcoming National Games will see a new sport in beach soccer. Image- The Bridge
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to host the Men's National Beach Soccer Championship for the first time at Dumas Beach in Surat in January-February earlier this year. Beach Soccer is now part of the National Games starting in Goa from October 26, 2023. AIFF announced on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, the top eight teams, including hosts Goa, will fight for the title at the Men's National Beach Soccer Championship in the final on November 1 at the picturesque Colva Beach in Goa.
Former Indian football team captain and Arjuna Award winner Bruno Coutinho has been closely associated with beach soccer ever since he decided to retire. His skill in this five-a-side game, played barefoot on sand, is well known. Bruno was India's coach in the pre-World Cup in 2007.
"I was really surprised to see that beach soccer has been included in the National Games for the first time," Bruno, who is now the head coach of the host Goa team in the National Games, said. A star footballer in his playing days, Bruno has been pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of beach soccer.
AIFF Grassroots Committee Chairman and Tournament Director of Beach Soccer Mulrajsinh Chudasama said the maiden entry of Beach Soccer at the Goa National Games was a continuation of AIFF's successful holding of the National Championships in January-February.
"Previously, it was just normal football, but now they have not only included beach soccer, but beach handball as well, so it will be interesting. I am confident that this is going to be a huge success. There are some challenges ahead. This is the high tide time in Goa, but the organisers have done well by putting up sandbags on the beach so that the FoP (field of play) doesn't get affected."
Mulrajsinh Chudasama
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The eight teams have been equally divided into two groups. In Group A, national champions Kerala have been paired with Delhi, Jharkhand and Lakshadweep. Meanwhile, national runner-up Punjab is in Group B along with Uttarakhand, Odisha and host Goa.
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