Definition
The 2017 Premier Futsal was the second edition of the Premier Futsal league, a franchise‑based professional futsal competition organized in India.
Overview
Premier Futsal was launched in 2016 as an attempt to popularise futsal—a five‑a‑side indoor variant of football—through a city‑based franchise system similar to the Indian Premier League in cricket. The 2017 season featured six franchised teams representing major Indian cities, including Mumbai Warriors, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kerala, Pune and Hyderabad. Matches were played in indoor arenas equipped with artificial turf, and the competition was broadcast on national television and streamed online. International futsal and football personalities such as Ronaldinho, Fafà Trâcher, and Luis Díaz were involved as ambassadors or guest players, while a mix of Indian national team members and overseas futsal specialists formed the playing squads.
Etymology/Origin
The term “Premier Futsal” combines “Premier,” denoting a top‑level or flagship competition, with “futsal,” which derives from the Portuguese phrase futebol de salão (indoor football). The year “2017” simply identifies the calendar year in which the second season took place.
Characteristics
- Format: The league followed a double‑round robin structure, after which the top four teams advanced to knockout semi‑finals and a final.
- Team Composition: Each franchise was allowed a limited number of overseas futsal players, a set of Indian players, and a marquee foreign football star—often a retired outdoor‑football professional—who acted primarily as a promotional figure.
- Rules: Standard FIFA futsal laws governed play, with slight modifications for broadcast timing (e.g., 20‑minute halves with a 10‑minute halftime).
- Venue: All matches were held in air‑conditioned indoor arenas with a playing surface of 40 × 20 m.
- Broadcast & Sponsorship: The league secured a multi‑year broadcasting deal with Sony SIX and attracted sponsorship from corporations such as Hyundai and Kalyani Group.
Related Topics
- Premier Futsal (general overview)
- Futsal in India
- Indian Super League (football)
- Professional sports franchise models in India
- FIFA Futsal World Cup
Note: While the existence of the 2017 Premier Futsal season and its structural details are documented, precise information regarding match results, champions, and statistical data is not fully confirmed in publicly available reliable sources.