Indoor football arrives in city

Itching to take a break from the office regimen by indulging in a game of fast-paced football without having to go all the way to the ground? Wish to fine-tune your dribbling skills on a shortened ground that is at a hand’s distance?

In a welcome breather, answers exist in the form of small-sided Futsal and mini-football that have caught the fancy of the players across the globe.

Even if these appear a bit too heavy on the minds, then the solution is in indoor football, which is gradually gaining in popularity even in Indian metros. To the people in the twin cities, the excitement is set to unfold in its most vibrant form, atop the Block 111 tenth floor of the high-rise White House complex at Begumpet that also houses a multitude of business establishments.

Like the normal indoor arenas that are rectangular or oblong in shape, with artificial turf floors, here the indoor astro-turf surface comes courtesy of threeself-professed fans of the world’s most popular sport - Danesh Mistry, Youhan Mistry and Ranjan Matthew, who have set up the ‘ground’ under the umbrella of Hot Fut.

What’s more in course of time, the ‘players’ can get tips from none other than those from Arsenal with whom they have tied up. For the records, Hot Fut now enjoys a pioneering distinction of being South India’s first such five-a-side facility, although Mumbai has several such offerings. It is also an ideal work-out pastime that doubles up as an effective physical fitness exercise.

Interacting with the media, Mathew said that they had prepared two pitches with each measuring 60x90ft. Although they have not officially taken-off, an informal 32-team tournament is already underway.

“As the game is played on artificial grass and rubber, there will be no leg injuries. We have imported the FIFA-approved turf from The Netherlands. We are using Futsal balls that are made of fibre and are slightly heavier than the normal football. Consequently, they bounce less but the control is good as we will be playing on the terrace,” he said.

Presently, Hot Fut is using rebound board, which is 2.5 inches thick and three feet in height, thereby removing any chance of the ball going out or falling all the way from the terrace. Moreover, the nets are those patronized at Wimbeldon. The waterproof floodlights ensure that one can play late into the wee hours.

The facility can be hired on a pay-and-play basis, generally on an hourly basis. The rates vary in accordance with the time for which the ground has been taken. Special training sessions will be held at periodical intervals under the watchful eyes of Arsenal professionals.

The trio pointed out that they had approached MNCs and even some corporate schools to make use of the exciting proposition. The heaviest of rain cannot interrupt any game nor can the cruelest of summer. It makes for a fabulous enjoyment where even while playing one can see the city in all its illuminated best.