International Socca Federation Explained

International Socca Federation
Abbreviation:ISF
Founding Location:Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Headquarters:Birmingham, United Kingdom
Region:Worldwide
Language:English
Leader Title:Honorary vice president
Leader Name:Tim Ollerenshaw
Leader Title2:Honorary vice president
Leader Name2:Shahzeb Mehmood Trunkwala
Leader Title3:CEO
Leader Name3:Thanos Papadopoulos
Leader Title4:Head of sponsorship
Leader Name4:Christoph Köchy
Leader Title5:Ambassador
Leader Name5:Ronaldinho
Leader Title6:Ambassador
Leader Name6:Robert Pires
Leader Title7:Ambassador
Leader Name7:Ryan Giggs
Leader Title8:Referee
Leader Name8:Mark Clattenburg
Leader Title9:Tournament Director
Leader Name9:Stuart Winton
Affiliations:Leisure Leagues (some members)
Website:soccafederation.com

The International Socca Federation (ISF) is a governing body for socca.[1]

This organization sets up the Socca World Cup, a world championship in socca, and more 5, 6, 7 or 8-sided tournaments for professional teams.[2]

History

Formation

The ISF was formed in late 2017 by small-sided football teams across Europe and the rest of the world. It was launched at a ceremony in Birmingham in February 2018, with guests of honour including World Cup and EURO referee Mark Clattenburg.[3] [4] 51 countries invited to the launch.[5]

Eligibility criteria are minimal. Anyone who wants to run a national 6-a-side team in their country can register with the ISF if no such team already exists, subject to an approval process.[6]

Governance

The governance structure announced involves a number of top figures from the Socca world. Pakistani businessman Shahzeb Mehmood Trunkwala of World Group[7] was elected as Honorary Vice President, along with English solicitor and charity founder Tim Ollerenshaw.[8]

Greek businessman Thanos Papadopoulos[9] took over as CEO, and German events mogul Christoph Köchy[10] became Head Of Sponsorship.[11] Stuart Winton, a socca referee, was appointed tournament director.[12] [13]

Ambassadors

Popular football figures were signed on to be ambassadors, led by Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho, who has played in socca exhibition games in Pakistan in summer 2017.[14] [15] Other players that signed up to be ambassadors included Robert Pires and Ryan Giggs.[16]

Members

62 nations sorted by 2023 full men ranking: [17]

Asia (11):
Africa (9):
Americas (11):
Euro (31):

Socca World Cup

See main article: Socca World Cup.

The inaugural 2018 Socca World Cup took place in Lisbon, Portugal, at the Trunkwala Stadium. It was refereed by Clattenburg.[18] [19] [20] Successive World Cups were held in Rethymno, Crete[21] (2019), Budapest, Hungary[22] (2022), and Essen, Germany[23] (2023).

Other leagues

See main article: Socca EuroCup. A Socca Champions League was held in October 2018 in Porec, Croatia. Dynamik Toruń from Poland emerged as champions.[24] A second Champions League was held in Maribor, Slovenia in September 2019. Slovenian side ARKO Kljucarovci beat Dynamik Toruń 4–2 in overtime.[25]

In 2023, The first Socca EuroCup took place in Chișinău, Moldova. Kazakhstan won 2-1 on penalties against Romania.[26] 13 teams participated.

In 2024, the second Socca EuroCup took place in Chișinău, Moldova. Kazakhstan won against Croatia.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: International Socca Federation Rules & Regulations . 5 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Membership Levels – Socca .
  3. Web site: Formation of 'International Socca Federation' announced - Daily Times. 6 February 2018. 15 May 2018.
  4. Web site: Socca Federation Meeting Hailed As A Great Success - News - Leisure Leagues. 9 February 2018. 15 May 2018.
  5. Web site: First International Socca Federation conference on Feb 8 . 15 May 2018 .
  6. Web site: International Socca Federation - Tournaments Around The World. International Socca federation. 15 May 2018.
  7. Web site: World Group. www.worldgroup.pk. 15 May 2018.
  8. Web site: Mazars hosts charity tea at The Cube. Graeme. Brown. 20 April 2017. 15 May 2018.
  9. Web site: liberost. liberost. 15 May 2018.
  10. Web site: Christoph Köchy. www.six-a-side.de. 15 May 2018.
  11. Web site: Governance - International Socca federation. 15 May 2018.
  12. Web site: Star Referees. www.ukminifootball.co.uk. 15 May 2018.
  13. Web site: Home - Star Sixes. Star Sixes. 15 May 2018.
  14. Web site: Football: 'Ronaldinho and friends' to play exhibition matches in Pakistan - The Star Online. www.thestar.com.my. 15 May 2018.
  15. Web site: Team Ronaldinho beats Giggs-7 to take 1-0 series lead. 15 May 2018.
  16. Web site: Your chance to win Ryan Giggs' shirt!. 15 May 2018.
  17. https://soccafederation.com/
  18. Web site: 2018 World Cup- Portugal. soccafederation.com. 15 January 2019.
  19. Web site: SOCCA SETS THE BAR HIGH ALL AROUND THE WORLD. 12 October 2018. soccafederation.com. 15 January 2019.
  20. Web site: Instituto Neymar Jr on Instagram: "Olha só que legal!! O Instituto Neymar Jr. está estampando a camisa da Seleção Brasileira de Futebol de 6 no Primeiro Mundial de Mini…". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BoJ0TryF67p . 26 December 2021 . registration. Instagram. 15 January 2019.
  21. Web site: Crete 2019 – old – International Socca federation.
  22. Web site: ISF WORLD CUP 2022 LOCATION ANNOUNCED – International Socca federation .
  23. Web site: It's Germany 2023! – International Socca federation .
  24. Web site: Socca Champions League 2018 Knockout Stages – International Socca federation.
  25. Web site: Socca Champions League 2019 Knockout Stages – International Socca federation.
  26. Web site: Казахстан сенсационно выиграл турнир по сокке. Что это такое? . Vesti.kz.