Olympic Oval hosting major Futsal events this weekend

The soccer spotlight moves indoors to the Richmond Olympic Oval this weekend.

The multi-purpose world class facility will be hosting to significant Futsal events.

The Canadian men's national team is holding a three-day identification camp starting today.

The highlighted event will be an East vs. West exhibition game on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is free but spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item for the Richmond Food Bank.

The Richmond Youth Soccer Association is hosting the U14 and U16 Futsal Provincial Championships on Saturday and Sunday. RYSA's Metro boys teams will be competing in each of the age groups.

The B.C. Soccer Association will also be hosting a free Futsal clinic on Sunday. The two sessions are scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on court #5.

Participants need to bring runners and shin guards.

Futsal has a long history having been founded in South America in the 1930s. It is an internationally recognized sport, governed worldwide by FIFA and in North America by CONCACAF.

Futsal's essential elements consist of five players a side on basketball-sized courts, indoor and outdoor surfaces without the use of sidewalls, and a no-bounce ball. The sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing. The no-bounce ball requires players to propel the ball using skill and the proper technique, rather than rely on the bounce of the ball.

Substitutions are made on the fly and there are kick ins rather than throw ins when the ball leaves the touchlines. Goalies throw in the ball rather than goal kicks and games typically consist of two 20-minutes halves.