Minifootball is flexible, affordable and for all ages — International Federation president tells Ghana
The President of the International Minifootball Federation (IMF), Dr Mohammed Al Dosari, has called on Ghana to embrace minifootball as a cost-effective, space-saving and inclusive sport capable of complementing traditional games.
Dr Al Dosari made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, at the ministry in Accra last Friday.
According to the IMF president, minifootball is designed with flexible rules, smaller pitch sizes, and fewer players than the traditional 11-a-side game, making it accessible to all age groups and communities with limited space.
“Its laws are very, very flexible. It does not depend on suitability 100 per cent. Substitutions are open — a player can go out and come back several times during a match,” Dr Al Dosari explained.
He noted that the objective of minifootball was to ensure sustainable football for healthy living, social relationships and community integration.
“Our target group is academia — schools, universities, neighbourhood playgrounds and small societies where many people play football. Increasing the number of athletes is a measure of how countries progress in terms of health and development,” he added.
He further encouraged Ghana to take advantage of the fact that joining the federation attracts no membership fees.
Welcoming the IMF President, Mr Adams said Ghana had reviewed and realigned its ministries, making his portfolio now Sports and Recreation — a move that positions the country to embrace recreational but competitive sports such as minifootball.
“What gladdens my heart is that minifootball addresses environmental concerns about space, health and affordability. Maintaining the main football team is expensive because you need 11 players at all times. The minimum number needed for main football may be the maximum needed for minifootball. So you give countries almost the same joy and opportunity at a lesser cost,” Mr Adams said.
