| Blatter calls professionals to join 'Football for hope'
02 April 2006
Uploaded: 8:30 PM
Mr. Blatter giving a 'touch' with a young boy during his visit to
FAM House today
Male',
MALDIVES - FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter called upon all the professional footballers to join the football for hope program to help the victims of the tragedies.
“Paolo Maldini of AC Milan came to Maldives . He represented the UNICEF. But we all want other professional footballers to be like him. To help the victims of various strategies if they have the time”
He also noted that various players who played in the all star game.
“Some players who had match the next day and the other day, they joined and played. Theiry Henry came with Arsene Wenger who played for 20 minutes in the match held in Barcelona ”
In his speech, he said that a new country cannot be rebuilt after the tsunami, the disaster. But they could reach out to the hearts of the people and give them some hope.
‘We cannot rebuild a country. But we can show the solidarity, and it is a pride of FIFA, solidarity gives hope, and it will be achieved through personal involvement ”
Mr. Blatter was also very excited about the upcoming world cup.
‘I hope the world cup would bring more passion. During the one month period, the globe will stop with the passion of football”
He finished his speech with a strong quotation
“Let us all work together to make the world a better place.”
AFC President, Mr Mohamed Bin Hammam said that he is part of the Maldives as he has visited the country a frequently and the relation between the FA is very good with AFC.
In Hammam's speech he noted the achievements of FIFA President and highlighted that Mr. Blatter was one of the first to announce help to the tsunami victims.
‘He called and said that we should help the victims. He offered 2 million US$ to help the victims”
He also said that football is not just a game to play, but a hope to the players who play it.
“It is not a game, not a ball to play but it is hope for everyone who is involved in it.”
FIFA President and AFC President who is in a FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Visit checked out the artificial pitch and the new pitch which started construction last week. He also had a meeting with the FAM President, Mr. Shukoor.
Mr. Blatter first visited the National Stadium and then had a courtesy call to the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Hilmy. He later visited the grounds and checked the Project Site. He also had a first look at the Youth Development Programme and had a meeting with the executive Committee of the FA Maldives.
A dinner reception would be held tonight which is hosted by the Minister of Youth and Sports.
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