New era for futsal: Major tournament unveiled at JFF headquarters

The Jamaica Futsal and Scrimmage Football Association (JFSA), in its effort to revive futsal locally, launched the National Futsal Tournament at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday.

The tournament, which will be contested regionally before culminating into a national semifinals and final, is scheduled to begin on May 16 in Runaway Bay, St Ann.

President of the JFSA, Curven Whyte, said since 2024 they have been laying the foundation for the structured growth of futsal, which quickly evolved into meaningful action across communities and institutions.

"By 2025 we formalised our governance structure, strengthen leadership framework, expanded our technical capacity and deepened engagement.

"We hosted community competitions, intercollegiate championships, developmental sessions to raise standards and create genuine opportunities for everyone's participation," he disclosed.

He said the launch is a defining milestone in building a sustainable and recognisable national futsal ecosystem.

"We have brought together experienced professionals. We have invested in technical development through international collaborations, including engaging FIFA Futsal instructor Joe Haughton. 

"We have taken the sport to communities through initiatives, creating pathway for youth engagement and talent discovery," he continued.

He added that the national tournament is just the beginning, as the association has plans to extend the sport to groups not usually involved.

"Teams across Jamaica will compete, not just for championship honours, but an opportunity to be part of a growing national movement.

"Our vision extends way beyond this (tournament). We are actively pursuing grassroots development programmes, youth academy competitions, expanded female futsal initiatives, masters competitions and opportunities for persons with special needs."

Twenty-eight teams from 14 parishes will be divided into eight groups across the four regions recognised by the JFF. 

The North East encompasses Portland, St Mary and St Ann, and North West comprises St James, Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover. 

The South West consists of Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth, and South East includes St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew and St Catherine.

The regional competitions will be played in a round-robin format.  Each region will be divided into two zones. Each team will play each other once in each zone 

The two zone winners (on points) will be promoted to the regional championship, with the winners of each regional championship to advance to the national semifinals.

"The grand final takes place at the technical centre (UWI/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence) on June 6.

"We launch off on May 16 in Runaway Bay. Then we move to the Southwest and then the North West the following week. On the 30th of May we have our last regional championship in the South East region and then the national championship," revealed JFSA vice president Chase Roberts..

"This is a pathway to unearth talent and select players for national duties. Top performers will be selected for national squad consideration and futsal development programmes. 

"After we have identified players, we will look to participate in the Concacaf Futsal championship," he added.

JFF president Michael Ricketts said the reintroduction of the futsal edition will shift some of the focus from the conventional version of the game.

"Some persons very close to regular football are now shifting focus to the more exciting version, which is futsal.

"We are very excited by the prospects. We are looking to add some more excitement with the communities and at the national level," he said.

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