2018 AAU World Futsal Championships Closes with Great Success
Six Countries represented and more than 100 teams featured at international tournament
Orlando, FL — The 2018 AAU World Futsal Championships highlighted the sport at its best with an experience unparalleled in the world from July 21 to 25. For the fifth consecutive year, United Futsal Association held an event featuring international superstars of the game and the best youth and adult teams from all over the globe. The event’s main sponsor was Hummel.
More than 100 Teams from Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and the United States competed over four days at the ESPN Wide World of Sports for the right to call themselves World Futsal Champions.
“The growth of the tournament is astounding ,” said Rob Andrews, President of United Futsal Association. “Seeing our American teams competing against and forming relationships with teams from across the globe only strengthens our resolve to connect the world of futsal one event at a time.”
The event began with an opening ceremonies on Friday night that was seen by more than 10,000 people on United Futsal Association’s Facebook page. The ceremonies featured professional futsal player Xavier Cols (from FC Barcelona in Spain) in a crossbar challenge with youth players representing each of the six countries competing in the tournament. The ceremonies closed with Corinthians Futsal (Brazil) director Edson Sesma acting as official torch bearer, officially kicking off the 2018 AAU World Futsal Championships competition.
“The level of play impressed whoever had a chance to watch; whether they be fans in person or those who watched our games live streamed on Facebook. We can clearly see that the game of futsal is growing in the United States and all over the world,” said Leo Meireles, tournament director for the World Futsal Championships. “To see how much this game has grown already in the past few years is what is most exciting. The feeling I have in my blood for the sport is the feeling I see in so many people. The futsal revolution is happening. People are loving it. People are expressing it in different ways through their different cultures. The passion and love and support for the game is there.”
For more information on the World Futsal Championships, visit worldfutsalchampionships.com
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ABOUT
AAU
The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever,” is shared by nearly 700,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers.
United Futsal Association
Founded in 2010, United Futsal aims to bring the highest level of futsal to every coach, player and organization through the facilitation of camps, clinics and seminars, hosting of professional and amateur tournaments and consulting support for leagues, facilities and state and regional associations. The mission of United Futsal Association is to support, promote, educate and organize the growth futsal in the United States and beyond. United Futsal is committed to the development of our players, coaches and referees. We believe that together we can create the best environment to foster growth for the sport of futsal in the United States and beyond.
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