The first edition of the National Football Championship 5×5 has started, a completion organized by the Albanian Football Association. The opening match of this championship was played between the teams of the area of Tirana.
Prior to the start of the match, a ceremony was held, with the presence of the General Secretary of AFA, Ilir Shulku and the project manager of 5×5 Football at AFA, Lysien Nurishmi.
Speaking for the press, General Secretary Shulku expressed his exaltation for the start of this championship and explained the benefits that the teams will receive for participating in this tournament.
‘’Today we start the National Football Championship 5×5. This football model has been played, is still in play and will always be played. Until yesterday it was considered a friends game, while now it will be under the organization of the Albanian Football Association, undoubtedly, a different organization from what it was played until now, meaning that it will be a championship with professional referees, with delegates, medics and securities. There will be benefits for the other teams and for the entire championship, the uniforms and the balls will be free from AFA. There will be rewards for the teams that will rank first in their areas and a big reward for the champion. I am convinced that it will be a competitive championship and all the people that will play here will be entertained and play football. I am thrilled because since this is the first time, 140 teams have been enrolled and there are more teams that are waiting. The registrations are still open, not only in Tirana but in all the cities of Albania, so the number will increase and can reach 250-300 teams’’- declared Shulku, adding that this championship will be played regionally first, and then the winner of every zone will play the play-off phase to crown the champion. In the days to come, the draw will be held for the other zones of Albania, to pave the way of the full completion of this championship. The first match was played between the teams of Royal and Tring and ended with the result 8-2.
The teams of the 5×5 championship have included the football pitch, the uniforms, balls and the matches will be attended by professional referees, with the presence of medics and security.
The champion will benefit a reward of 300,000 ALL while the second place wins 100,000 ALL. The team that ranks first in the regional championship wins 75,000 ALL and 5 footballs, while the second place in the regional championship wins 25,000 ALL and 5 balls.
