Former Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, Argentinian Hernan Crespo and former Manchester United player and coach Ryan Giggs will participate in the upcoming Premier Futsal league which will begin from July 15, the organisers of the tournament said in a press conference in Chennai on Tuesday.
The organisers also announced the schedule and teams for the upcoming tournament. The first season will have teams from six cities – Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata and Goa. The first leg of the tournament, from July 15 to 18, will take place in Chennai, the second leg from July 19 to 24 in Goa. The final will be played in Goa on July 24.
Around 36 international footballers will take part in the tournament that aims to popularise futsal, a branch of football, in the country. Premier Futsal was caught in controversy soon after the announcement of the tournament after the All Indian Football Federation called it "unsanctioned" and questioned the veracity of the tournament, also asking its constituent federations not to be associated with it. However the organisers of Premier Futsal rubbished such allegations.
The tournament was launched with much fanfare in June with Portuguese legend Luis Figo (pictured above) as its president and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli as brand ambassador. It also signed up other big names in football like as Deco and Paul Scholes.
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