The country’s most famous sporting arena will host one of the fastest-growing sports in the world this weekend as a mobile futsal court is set up on the concourses of Eden Park.

It will mark the first time futsal has ever been played at the venue, the scene of many of New Zealand’s most notable sporting triumphs.

The court will be used on Saturday to stage multiple futsal games as part of New Zealand Eid Day, a family-based event celebrating the major ‘Eid’ holidays observed by Muslims worldwide.

The bi-annual event will bring together all the Muslim ethnicities in Auckland for a day of joy and happiness but is open to the wider public so all are welcome – regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender or age.

Playing a big part in the celebrations will be the mobile futsal court, which has been made available for Eid Day by New Zealand Football and is a legacy of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which was hosted on these shores.

The transportable court was originally sourced, funded and imported by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of that tournament for use as a promotional vehicle in host cities during the lead-up. Post-tournament, it was handed over to New Zealand Football for future use – one of many leverage and legacy benefits football and futsal in this country have experienced after hosting the U-20 World Cup.

It appeared in Auckland’s Aotea Square prior to the tournament and has since been used at various venues all over the country to further drive the growth of futsal, which has experienced a rapid rise in participation rates in recent years.

The futsal action during New Zealand Eid Day is being organised by former Futsal White Ouadhah Ragued, who is grateful for the support of New Zealand Football and the Auckland Football Federation, the latter of which is providing pop-up goals and balls.

“It’s fantastic to have New Zealand Football’s support and presence at such community events,” he says.

“I was fortunate enough to enjoy many of the opportunities futsal in this country has to offer and, by having the futsal courts at New Zealand Eid Day, we can provide similar opportunities for our community to explore and enjoy futsal.”

New Zealand Football is just as pleased to be involved in a day which is likely to draw as many as 11,000 people from all ethnic backgrounds and age-groups.

“Diversity and inclusion are key focuses for us moving forward and futsal is an ideal tool to engage all communities,” Community Development Manager Jamie Milne says.

“It is an exciting, small-sided game that can be played anywhere and by anyone. We are looking forward to seeing so many people from different backgrounds come together and share their love of futsal or be introduced to the sport for the first time.”

Many more such opportunities will take place if New Zealand Football is successful in its bid to host the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which is likely to produce a similar range of legacies to the football U-20 World Cup.

New Zealand Eid Day will take place on Saturday 16 June at Eden Park in Sandringham, Auckland. It is an all-weather event so will proceed regardless of the conditions.

For more information please visit nzeidday.org.nz

To learn more about futsal and how you can get involved please contact New Zealand Football Futsal Development Manager Josh Margetts at josh.margetts@nzfootball.co.nz

Article added: Friday 15 June 2018