The Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Hawai‘i Futsal and the WeGo! Foundation, will host the 2024 Hawai‘i Interational Futsal Cup this weekend at three venues in Hilo.
From yesterday through Sunday, about 450 participants on 46 teams are competing in nine divisions.
“We are thrilled to welcome teams from Japan; Portland, Oregon; Kaua‘i; and Hawai‘i Island as we host this tournament for a second year,” Lindsey Iyo, Recreation Administrator with Parks and Recreation said. “We encourage the public to join us and learn more about this sport while supporting local athletes as well as our national and international competitors.”
The tournament includes an Aloha Ceremony at noon Saturday at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Stadium (EKMS). The ceremony will feature a welcome from Mayor Mitch Roth and the Japan delegation, a blessing, taiko and hula performances and the introduction of all teams.
Concessions will be available Friday and Saturday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and EKMS, and food trucks will be available on Sunday at EKMS.
Originally developed in Uruguay in the 1930s, Futsal is similar to soccer but is played on a hard court, usually indoors, with five players per side. The smaller space creates a fast-paced sport that emphasizes technique and skill.
For the game schedule, visit the tournament’s Team Snap page or see the schedule below:
Today
7 a.m. – 10 p.m. — Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium
7 a.m. – 9 p.m. — Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
7 a.m. – 11 a.m. / 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. — Pana’ewa Play Courts
12 p.m. — Aloha Ceremony at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium
Sunday
7 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
7 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium (awards ceremony to follow last championship game)