BRINGING the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup to the Philippines will be a big help to develop the sport in the country.
Jaime Yarza, the Director of FIFA Tournaments, said this after attending the launch of the tournament logo on Tuesday at the Whitespace Manila in Makati City.
“It’s really helping the development of women sports in the country. We have good opportunity to come here to the Philippines, to strengthen what the federation and the government has been doing over the last 20 years,” Yarza said.
Yarza is responsible for organizing the the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the FIFA youth tournaments for men and women, which includes futsal and beach soccer World Cups, along with Olympic Football Tournaments and Youth Olympic Futsal Tournaments.
Talks with the Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann has been going on.
Around 16 national women’s national teams, including host Philippines, will take part in the meet, slated from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.
Gutierrez said he is thrilled to see the tournament logo that was revealed that evening.
“This is the first time that I’ve seen this logo. And I’m excited at how it turned out,” said Gutierrez.
The build-up to the first FIFA futsal tournament logo is a stunning contemporary emblem that has a distinctly Filipino flavour, fusing futsal’s key elements.
The emblem has references to local street art and motifs, Zamboanga vinta boats, the gabbang musical instrument and traditional binakol patterns.
The design provides powerful visual identity reflects a game that is constantly on the move and the sights and sounds of the host nation, which are combined with depictions of the futsal ball, the shape of the pitch and the five members of each team. The design also features arrows that portray the fine line between defence and attack in a form of football renowned for its captivating speed and skill.