Futsal Development Program launched in San Juan

The San Juan City government, together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Football Federation (PFF), led the launch of the city’s Futsal Development Program on Saturday, Aug. 29, aiming to introduce and develop the sport among the youth.

The event was held at the Barangay Tibagan Wooden Covered Basketball Court, with Mayor Francis Zamora, his son and Special Assistant to the Mayor Rocco Zamora, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, and PFF President John Gutierrez in attendance.

Also present was Rafael Merino Rodriguez, Philippine National Futsal Team head coach and PFF technical director, who will support the rollout of the program and the Training of Trainers. He will share his expertise in grassroots futsal development and coach education as the city implements the program in partnership with the PSC and PFF.

Under the partnership, the local government said that the PSC will fund the program, while the PFF will provide technical expertise, train local coaches, and oversee the implementation of the program during its initial one-year run.

During the event, the PSC turned over 120 futsal balls and 20 pairs of futsal goals to the city government as part of an Equipment Endowment Ceremony.

“The PSC will also fund the Training of Trainers for San Juan City's local coaches, who will be trained by PFF coaches,” it said.

“Under the program, young San Juaneños will undergo futsal training within their respective barangays two to three times a week, making organized sports training more accessible to children in their own communities,” the city government explained.

It added that the initial training cycle will consist of 12 training sessions, after which participants will compete in their first futsal league tournament.

The first cycle will be followed by another 12-session training cycle and a succeeding league tournament, giving participants more opportunities to hone their skills through competitive play.

Following the program’s launch, the first futsal clinic was conducted, marking the beginning of its grassroots training activities for the youth in the city.

“Through this structured training-and-competition format, the program seeks to establish a sustainable grassroots futsal system in San Juan City, develop local coaching capabilities, identify promising young athletes, and encourage more children to participate regularly in sports,” the local government said.

The city government said the Futsal Development Program forms part of its continuing efforts to expand grassroots sports opportunities and provide young San Juaneños with structured avenues for physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and athletic development while strengthening San Juan's long-term sports development program.

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