The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

July 8rd 2008 – Brussels

African, Caribbean and Pacific States are benefiting through a major FIFA multi-million dollars project to improve the standard of football and playing grounds in ACP States.

A senior FIFA delegation led by Jerome Champagne, the Director of International Relations of the Office of the FIFA President, revealed to Acting Secretary General Moss Lenga and senior members of the Secretariat about the progress being made in Africa under the Win in Africa For Africa Project.

Under the project, 52 artificial fields will be built across Africa and FIFA will provide support for national leagues on the continent, among other things.

Mr Champagne highlighted that through the development – FIFA aims to develop facilities, football management skills and access to football.

He said that since the World Cup will be held on African soil for the first time, they want the entire continent to benefit from it.

Mr Champagne stressed that the series initiatives are taken to develop the game and ensure that Africans benefit as they are ready to host their first World Cup.

As media will be a vital part of that, FIFA has been organizing professional training and coaching for African broadcasters, radio and print media personnel.

Meanwhile, the FIFA delegation also highlighted the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed with the European Commission regarding football development in ACP States last week.

Mr Champagne said under the partnership, the ACP Group will be an important partner as it deals directly with its members.

Through the partnership, the Commission and FIFA express their wish to develop and structure their cooperation and work together with football as a vehicle towards the shared objective of reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The scope of the partnership is limited to ACP States only.

Mr Lenga said he is happy that the project covers ACP States and thanked them for meeting with the ACP Secretariat staff.

Details contact: iroga@acp.int