The Futsal Club Championship is the highest level futsal club competition in India, organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).[2][1] The inaugural edition kicked off on 5th November 2021 in New Delhi with 16 teams.[3] It acts as qualifier for the AFC Futsal Club Championship, the highest level club futsal competition in Asia.
| Organising body | All India Football Federation (AIFF) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021[1] |
| Country | India |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | AFC Futsal Club Championship |
| Current champions | Corbett FC (1st title) |
| Most championships | Delhi FC, Minerva Academy FC, Corbett FC (1 title each) |
| TV partners |
|
| Website | the-aiff.com/futsal |
| Current: 2023–24 | |
History
editOn 10 December 2019, the AIFF executive committee decided that futsal club competition will be part of their calendar from 2020 season onwards.[1] AIFF invited clubs playing Indian Super League, I-League and state level futsal champions to participate in the inaugural season.[4][5] The inaugural championship was originally planned to be held in July – August, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed until 2021.
Competition format
edit2021–22
editThe inaugural edition featured a total of 16 teams, which have been divided into four groups, played in a round-robin format. The highest-placed team from each group makes it to the semi-final stage, played in a knockout format. The winners of the tournament become futsal champions of India.[6]
2022–23
editThe second season had a total of 14 teams, divided into two groups of seven, where they play in the round robin format, before proceeding to the knockout rounds. The champion of the tournament will represent India at the AFC Futsal Club Championship.[7]
Champions
edit| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Delhi | 7–2 | Mohammedan |
| 2022–23 | Minerva Academy | 2–2 (3–1 p) | Mohammedan |
| 2023–24 | Corbett | 3–2 | Golazo |
Statistics and records
editFinals appearances by club
edit| Club | Winner | Runner-up | Years won | Years runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 1 | – | 2021–22 | – |
| Minerva Academy | 1 | – | 2022–23 | – |
| Corbett | 1 | – | 2023–24 | |
| Mohammedan | – | 2 | – | 2021–22, 2022–23 |
| Golazo | – | 1 | – | 2023–24 |
Media coverage
editOn 3rd November 2021, the All India Football Federation announced that Eurosport India will broadcast the inaugural edition of the Hero Futsal Club Championship.[8][9]
See also
edit- India national futsal team
- India women's national futsal team
- Football in India
- Sport in India
- History of Indian football
- Indian football league system
- AFC Futsal Asian Cup
- FIFA Futsal World Cup
- Asian Premier Futsal Championship
- Futsal Association of India
- Minifootball
- Five-a-side football
- Indoor soccer
References
edit- ^ a b c "Futsal club championship to kick-off from 2020 season". AIFF. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Draw for Futsal Club Championship 2021–22 announced". aninews.in. New Delhi: Asianet News International. 29 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Inaugural edition of Futsal Championship to kick-off in New Delhi on November 5". www.aninews.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "AIFF invites clubs for AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2020". AIFF. 25 December 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "AIFF's inaugural Futsal Club Championship to kickstart 2020-21 season". The Outlook India. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Hero Futsal Club Championship". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Mr. Vijay Bali chairs AIFF's Futsal Committee Meeting".
- ^ "Eurosport India acquires broadcasting rights for inaugural season of Hero Futsal Club Championship". News18. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Eurosport to broadcast the inaugural season of Hero Futsal Club Championship". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.