The Foreign Domestic Workers Futsal League, which started on Sept 18, is a community project by Singapore-based D2D Sports.
It is a league that was created to serve migrant domestic helpers in the republic who wanted something more than just an annual tournament to look forward to.
A lot of the hard work in recruiting the teams to participate is credited to D2D Sports facilitator, Lubis Ratno, while I just pieced the teams together in the monthly league, charging them a minimal fee so as not to financially strain them.
Besides participating in the league, Ratno, through his charity organisation Lion City Foundation, has agreed to sponsor the training sessions for nine players selected from this league.
To further aid us, several referees have agreed to officiate the games for a reduced fee.
The players were certainly excited. Five of the eight teams turned up in big numbers, complete with supporters, at least an hour before kick-off, to warm up.
When the matches took place, the atmosphere was electric.
The two five-aside pitch arena, Charis Turf, was transformed into a mega stadium.
The first game was a derby between Mizo Girls and Mizoram FC, both teams from the state of Mizoram in India. Mizoram’s Dimsangkim scored a hat-trick, while Mizo Girls’ solitary goal was by Ruthi Lalkhawngaihsangi.
The next match was between Golden Myanmar FC and Ladies Eagle (from the Philippines). With hat-tricks by Aye Aye Aung and Thwe Thwe Aung each, Golden Myanmar was unstoppable and ended the game with a resounding 8-1 victory.
Eden Faith Abad scored the only goal for the Filipina team.
The match against Indonesian side BTI FC and Manipur (from India) had fans on the edge of their seats. It ended with a goalless draw.
The best was saved for last in a derby between Red Forces Myanmar and We Love Myanmar FC.
We Love Myanmar had raced to a 3-0 lead, thanks to a brace by Nant Gay Pwar and Su Su Hlaing, but Red Forces produced a spirited comeback after its player, Khin Htay Wai, scored twice.
Red Forces went wild, thinking the team had scored an equaliser, but the goal was disallowed as the ball had hit the ceiling net above, which was an infringement in this league.
Rattled, Ngu War Phyo then quickly scored the fourth goal for We Love Myanmar, but Khin completed her hat-trick.
Unfortunately for the Red Forces and their supporters, they ran out of time and lost the match 4-3.
The teams will be back in action again on Oct 16, and we will be shining a spotlight on the participating teams in the coming days.
We are also looking for sponsors and partners for the league and teams. So, if anyone is interested, kindly email rasvinder@d2dsports.com or call +6591546091.
