FIFA to spend $70m on African projects

Published November 25, 2007

DURBAN, Nov 24: FIFA is to spend $70 million on projects to improve African football while the continent prepares to host the 2010 World Cup finals.

The installation of artificial pitches, introduction of professional leagues and administration and training of coaches and doctors form part of the ‘Win with Africa in Africa’ initiative launched last year.

“There is a strong feeling that this World Cup should leave a legacy through out the African continent, not only for 2010 hosts South Africa,” FIFA Director for International Relations Jerome Champagne told reporters on Saturday.

“We aim to create better facilities, increase management skills and access to football,” he added.

An artificial pitch is to be installed in all but one of Africa’s 53 member countries, the only exception being World Cup hosts South Africa. A total of 21 have already been completed, most of them in national stadiums.

The project also supports the development of national leagues, with training and equipment.

Champagne said similar projects had been launched for India, Oceania and the Caribbean.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Quetta bombing
Updated 10 Nov, 2024

Quetta bombing

THERE appears to be no end to the stream of violent incidents occurring in Balochistan, indicating a clear failure ...
Burdened courts
10 Nov, 2024

Burdened courts

ACCORDING to recent reports, the new chief justice has set about implementing a recently adopted plan for clearing...
Playing in Pakistan
10 Nov, 2024

Playing in Pakistan

MOHSIN Naqvi, Pakistan’s cricket chief, has shown a brave face. Now he has to be unrelenting and put the onus on...
Wake-up call
Updated 09 Nov, 2024

Wake-up call

Pakistan must heed UN's wake-up call and bring its laws and practices in line with its international human rights obligations.
Foreign banks’ exit
09 Nov, 2024

Foreign banks’ exit

WHY are foreign banks leaving Pakistan? In the last couple of decades, we have seen a number of global banking...
Kurram protest
09 Nov, 2024

Kurram protest

FED up with the state’s apathy towards their plight, the people of Kurram tribal district took to the streets on...