| Hakim Hayat |
AFTER gaining very encouraging response since its launch here, locally-developed web application Weekend Warriors is ready to expand internationally next year, setting its goal to officially launch in Jakarta, Indonesia by January, local start-up company Respin Alpha’s CEO, Faezal Murni shared yesterday.
The application that was launched earlier this month revolutionised the way indoor-futsal goers organise their games during the weekend, allowing them to book spots on-the-go and saving them the hassle. Players will only need to bring their own shoes, shin pads and socks as the arena, coloured vests for teams and qualified referees will be provided on the spot.
In an interview Faezal on the sidelines of a Weekend Warriors futsal game at the JKR Sports Complex in Old Airport Road yesterday, remarked that the app’s growth is gaining steady traction and the results have exceeded their expectations. “We expect to achieve the results we have right now in three months’ time but we have already achieved that within a month.. We have over 1,000 followers on Instagram now and we’ve got more than 700 registrations now,” he said.
Faezal shared that since launching, they have close to 200 players every weekend and these numbers are growing as the app continues to receive hype from word of mouth.
With wide ambition to set a global footprint for the app that is the first-of its kind, Faezal shared that they chose Jakarta to set off because of the proximity and a partner who is already interested to launch the app there.
“In the tech world, launching in Jakarta means that you can launch anywhere else.. We are very ecstatic as we are working closely with our partner now to launch a trial run soon and hopefully officially launch it in January next year,” he said.
Faezal Murni (right), CEO of Respin Alpha and Martin Jarvis (left), a licensed coach from Everton FC during the interview. – HAKIIM HAYAT
As part of its commitment to give back to the community, Faezal also shared an exciting new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to help underprivileged children in football training that his company is looking to launch soon.
The programme will see licensed coach from Everton FC Martin Jarvis, who is also a helicopter pilot from the British Royal Air Force and currently embedded with the Royal Brunei Air Force, train selected underprivileged children from the country.
Faezal said together with his company, Martin will help facilitate or train underprivileged children who are football enthusiasts for free.
Both Martin and Faezal hope that the programme will help unleash the potential of young football enthusiasts in the country, especially those coming from underprivileged backgrounds.
Martin said he recently asked a non-profit charity attached to Everton FC for support and they obliged by sending over kids football kits, training wear and football equipment for Martin to disseminate.
With the right training kits and coach already in place, Faezal said he also welcomes any organisation or bodies that are willing to work with them to sponsor them facilities such as a field for the programme.
Faezal also shared some exciting new additions to the app such as its Team Battle feature that will be launched. Similar to the existing concept, he said it allows teams to register early and play every Sunday for an half-an hour game. “All you have to do is book and have a list of teams.. every Monday, there will be a new schedule for the next Sunday so teams may just book and pick what time,” he said.
Next week, they are also launching Junior Warriors which is football training for children under 10 years old facilitated by Weekend Warriors with the help of coaches from the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD).
Respin Alpha is a start-up incubatee with iCentre, which is managed by DARE (Darussalam Enterprise), a statutory body established by the government to support and nurturing the growth of local enterprises.
DARE said it is encouraging start-ups from across all sectors to start occupying to start occupying either co-working spaces or office spaces and their businesses at iCentre. “With the aim to improve its eco-system, DARE will provide support in the form of networking with advisory, and is also working to identify mentors that can guide and push the start-ups to achieve success,” it said in a statement.
DARE also said its objective is to increase traffic and cultivate entrepreneurial spirit among incubators, and support high potential innovative start-ups through an internationally recognised incubation programme.
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