Blatter’s vision for Africa hailed: By 2 FIFA Presidential hopefuls
Two FIFA presidential hopefuls yesterday laid out their respective visions for world football as they attempted to woo members of the WAFU (Zone B) ahead of FIFA Presidential Elections on February 26.
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The duo, HRH Prince Ali Al-Hussein and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, laid out their plans and objectives to WAFU Zone B delegates during a closed door meeting at their Congress at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
After the meeting, the candidates later gave journalists a rare insight to the messages they shared with the delegates.
First to address a large gathering of eager journalists was Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa who said he shared the vision of disgraced former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter and "would love to support an expansion to the FIFA World Cup tournament".
According to Sheikh Salman, 50, he had always supported Blatter until 2015 when he became the head of Asian football.
The strict-looking Asian Football Confederat
"I have been elected by my national federation as vice president in the 1998 and president in 2002 until 2015 I was head of a Confederation.
"Now, nobody can deny what Sepp Blatter did for the developing countries whether it’s the financial aid programmes or Goal Projects and other programmes, without which other countries won't be playing football.
"Of course, I share his vision as well and I totally agree with the development FIFA has brought to world football.
"But, how to do it, I have my ways and how to do it as well".
Second was the jovial President of the Jordanian FA, HRH Prince Ali Al-Hussein, who arrived on a private jet to address the delegates.
He promised equality for all FIFA members as well as"respect for Africa".
Prince Ali, having a second go at the FIFA presidency over a 15-minute question and answer session, promised transparency and evolution in the operations of FIFA with the establishment of regional FIFA offices across the globe.
He also promised to be a hands-on President saying, "I'm not the type to cut ribbons, I will be out with sleeves rolled-up getting the job done".
Prince Ali, 40, also described himself as a pace-setter for being the first to challenge former FIFA boss, Blatter.
Absent from the Congress were Gianni Infantino, as well as the representatives of Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale.
