Inside Africa

A three-man delegation represented Egypt at the 55th FIFA congress that took place recently at the Palais des Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco. Inas Mazhar reports

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Egyptian Football Association (EFA) President Samir Zaher led the delegation which included vice-president Ahmed Shobeir and treasurer Ahmed Shaker.

The opening session was described as being a truly spectacular ceremony by the Moroccans, who were awarded the hosting of the meetings as compensation for losing the 2010 World Cup bid.

It was the first congress to be held on the African continent in the 101-year history of FIFA.

In his opening address to those assembled for world football's supreme body in the Moroccan royal city at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, FIFA President Joseph Blatter extolled Africa's contribution to football. "Africa always used to go away empty- handed. But we hope that this congress and the 2010 FIFA World Cup will serve to make up for some of the omissions of the past," declared Blatter in his opening address to an audience of approximately 1,000, including delegates, Moroccan political dignitaries, guests and reporters.

Morocco's Prime Minister Driss Jettou praised FIFA's crucial role, expressing the hope that the gathering in Marrakech would enable FIFA to "build on its phenomenal contribution to the development and global expansion of football, and to tackle new challenges in its second centenary."

A group of young footballers from Marrakesh welcomed FIFA symbolically by presenting Blatter with a mosaic. After a moving film highlighting the manifold celebrations for the FIFA Centennial in 2004, FIFA then cast its eyes forward -- to Africa. The dance number by African Footprint mirrored the message to the congress participants of a united future for all humankind, regardless of one's roots or religion.

One of the items on the agenda of the two- day congress was the prospective affiliation of Comoros and East Timor as the 206th and 207th members of FIFA respectively. Some amendments to the FIFA statutes were also planned.

Blatter highlighted current problems affecting global football and invited football's electoral body to comment on them.

According to Blatter and CAF President Eissa Hayatou a special project is being put together by FIFA to improve the quality of African league football. Blatter acknowledged that African league football has suffered a severe drop in quality as a result of the exodus of players to European and Asian leagues.

"One of the projects that we have, as we look forward to the 2010 World Cup, is doing something to improve the viability of African league football," Blatter said. "We have to curb the flight of players to Europe and Asia and see how companies can invest in the game. We shall start working on this project by September 2006. It is the special project for Africa in FIFA," Blatter said.

"For [the World Cup in] 2010 we have a special programme in conjunction with international bodies."