The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has signed a three-month agreement with Farrukh Zakirov, the current coach of the Uzbekistan Women's National Futsal Team, to lead the Maldives Futsal Team for the upcoming SAFF Futsal Championship in January. His contract is set to commence on the 1st of next month and will run until January 31st.

 

Zakirov is an experienced professional who also works with the Uzbek Futsal League club, Neftchi. Although his official role will be with the Men's Futsal Team, FAM has confirmed that he will also be providing assistance to the local coaches in preparing the Women's National Futsal Team for the SAFF tournament. His temporary release from Neftchi for the Maldivian assignment was agreed upon between the club and FAM.

 

Zakirov brings recent success to the role, having coached the Uzbekistan Women's Team to qualify for the Women's Futsal Asian Cup held in China in May. During that tournament, his team secured third place in Group A, notably defeating Australia in a group that included China and Chinese Taipei. The SAFF Futsal Championship will be held in Thailand, starting on January 12th with the opening match between the Maldives Women's Team and India.