Futsal gains popularity among Jalandhar’s youth

After the rise of pickle ball, Jalandhar’s youth have now found a new sporting passion—futsal. While pickle ball is considered a modified version of badminton, futsal offers a faster, more dynamic form of football, captivating the attention of young athletes across the region. Unlike traditional football, which is played outdoors, futsal is an indoor sport played on an artificial turf with five players on each team. Each match consists of two 20-minute halves, governed by modified rules—there are no off sides, no throw-ins and substitutions are open. These changes make the game quicker, more fluid and incredibly exciting for both players and spectators. Futsal made its debut in Jalandhar in July last year with a small tournament at Innocent Hearts School, where just five teams—each from one of the five branches of the school—competed. This year, however, the game has gained significant traction. The second season of the Indoor Futsal Tournament, held last week at Innocent Hearts School Sports Hub in Loharan, saw participation from over 12 teams in the under-14 category and 10 teams in the under-17 category. This surge in participation underscores the growing popularity of futsal among the city’s youth. Futsal differs from traditional football in several key aspects. The team size is reduced to five players per side, making for a more intense, fast-paced game. The futsal ball is smaller and less bouncy, requiring precise control. The goals are also more compact, standing at just 2’3” in height, challenging players to focus on accuracy and skill. Season 2 of the tournament featured a thrilling series of matches, characterised by passion, energy and skill. Players competed in a lively and encouraging environment, using the tournament as an opportunity to sharpen their skills, demonstrate sportsmanship and strengthen their teamwork. The tournament was held as an inter-school day-night championship, with the semi-finals and finals generating excitement and fierce competition. In the under-14 category, Sapra Soccer Academy claimed the gold medal, while Innocent Hearts School, Green Model Town took silver, and La Blossom School secured the bronze. In the under-17 category, Sapra Soccer Academy again triumphed, clinching the gold, with Innocent Hearts School, Green Model Town taking the silver and Innocent Hearts School, Cantt-Jandiala Road finishing in third place. Rajeev Paliwal, Deputy Director of Sports, congratulated the winners and presented them with trophies and cash prizes, applauding their exceptional performances. Dr Anup Bowry, Chairman of Innocent Hearts, expressed pride in the school’s role in pioneering futsal in Jalandhar. “We are proud to be the pioneers of futsal in Jalandhar. Our goal is to nurture young talent and promote a culture of fitness and teamwork. The overwhelming response to Season 2 motivates us to continue creating such opportunities for youth. With every season, the Futsal Tournament continues to grow in scale and significance, setting a new standard for organised youth sports in the district,” he said.

Jalandhar