Overwhelming response to inaugural BeritaHarian.sg National Futsal Championship

The upcoming BeritaHarian.sg National Futsal Championship that will be held on 30 and 31 May 2015 received an overwhelming response with nearly 300 teams signing-up during the two-week registration period which ended late April - well beyond the initial target of 264 teams.

After a final selection, 265 teams will compete in this inaugural event held in conjunction with this year's SG50 celebrations and also to welcome the South East Asian Games (SEA Games).

The teams will compete in six categories:

- Under 12 (Under-12)

- Under 14 (Under-14)

- Under 18 (Under-18)

- Under 35 (Under-35)

- Above 35 (Above-35); and Women

The tournament will see a total of 970 matches being played over two days at Home United Youth Football Academy (HYFA), located at 8 Mattar Road, which is a massive ground that holds 10 futsal pitches and two football fields.

A total of 57 teams will compete in Under-12 category; 56 teams each in the Under-14 and Under-18 categories; 48 teams in Under-35; and 24 teams each in the Above-35 and Women categories.

The Champions for the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 categories will each win a trophy, medals and $700 in cash. The Champions for the Under-35 and Above-35 categories will each win a trophy, medals and $1,000 in cash. The winner of the Women's category will win a trophy, medals and $500 in cash.

The cash prizes are sponsored by Frenz United Football Club, the event's official partner, and also by official supporter Allaudin & Friends.

Champions for Under-35, Above-35 and Women categories will win more than $19,000 worth of air tickets sponsored by official airline partner, AirAsia.

Premium prizes for the champions of the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 categories are part-sponsored by Home United Football Club (HUFC) and Puma, the Championship's key partner and official supporter.

Teams competing in the tournament will have the chance to win other awards, namely the Top Goal-scoring Team Award and Spirit Of Sportsmanship Award. Both awards are sponsored by Mr Zainal Samat, a supporter of HUFC.

A Crystal Trophy will be given to the top goal-scoring team in all six categories, regardless of whether they are competing for the championship or the plate rounds. HUFC will monitor the goal-scoring records of each participating teams.

The Spirit Of Sportsmanship Award comprises a crystal trophy and a cash prize of $500, and will be given to the team deemed to have best adhered to the principles of sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition.

In addition, there will be five exhibition matches, showcasing Singapore's multi-ethnicity, the golden touches of ex-Lions who have brought much glory to the nation and the skills of Singapore's talented players.

There will also be a carnival where children, friends and supporters of the participants can while their time away in a fun and relax atmosphere throughout the tournament.