Goiania ready for Kick-off of 15th WUC Futsal

GOIANIA – The 2016 FISU World University Futsal Championship is ready to go and the line-up of teams is already very strong. Top futsal countries such as Russia, Argentina, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Thailand and the hosts Brazil are ready to battle it out for the 15^th men’s title of World University Champion.

Luciano Cabral, president of the Brazilian University Sports Confederation, commented “Brazil has a strong tradition in university sports and we are the leading birthplace of world futsal athletes, the country that realized the first male and female World University Championships. We were sure that the World University Futsal Championship, being held again in Brazil, will count with the top world teams.”

For the first time in Brasil, the male and female teams will be playing at the same time. In 1984, São Paulo was host to the 1^st Men’s WUC Futsal and in 2000, João Pessoa hosted the 7^th men’s edition. Another inaugural edition took place in 2008 with the 1^st Women’s WUC Futsal taking place in Vitória. At this year’s edition, the OC expects to receive up to 14 male teams and 10 female teams. If these figures are reached, this will be the biggest competition already held in the history of the World University Futsal Championships, certainly one of the most important university sport events of the year.

The current World University Champions are the Russians in the men’s tournament – who defeated Brazil in the 2014 final in Málaga (Spain) – and the Brazilians in the women’s competition. This team will be looking for its 5^th straight World University Championship, this time again at home.

The local Organising Committee is sure the WUC will be a great event, as it has the full support from Goiás State Government and the city of Goiânia. Lusimar Santos, President of the Organising Committee stated “The World University Futsal Championship will bring cultural diversity to Goiânia and creates a culture of futsal practice, as well as the sports in general. We look forward to host every country that participates and we are sure they will have memorable experiences.” The city is excited to receive this big event, which will expose the integration and harmony among the athletes and the local population in the capital of Goiás state, as well as boost the economy and tourism. The authorities are also committed to guarantee the success of the competition.

The 2016 FISU WUC Futsal will take place from 3 to 10 July in Goiânia, Brazil.

(Source: WUCFutsal2016 OC)