Convening in Noumea last week, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Extraordinary congress received an address glowing in praise from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter .
President Blatter – who had flown straight from the FIFA congress in Sydney acknowledged that FIFA Congress had approved 50 million dollars as part of FIFA “Win In” projects to be used around the six FIFA confederations with OFC destined to receive a slice.
Blatter said that he was in the process of determining how the money would be divided amongst the confederations.
“The decision has only been made 48 hours ago and it is now our job to find a balance.
“But know that you will have a good friend in FIFA when the decision is being made, not only the FIFA President who is saying this but also Jerome Valcke. Be confident of that.”
Blatter spoke of the Win in Oceania with Oceania project which he said will improve football in the region.
“Win in Oceania will be a great success with the right infrastructure communication and leadership. It’s a new development approach that we started two years ago with win in Africa with Africa.
“The project will follow the same format as that used in other confederations and countries from India to Central North America to the Caribbean and so on.”
The OFC Secretariat than gave a series of presentations identifying the areas where OFC would like to focus the proposed “Win In Oceania” resources.
These areas included TV and Radio strategy, Grassroots and capacity building and strengthening club football.
“After seeing the Vanuatu presentation I see how difficult it is to go into an organised competition when you have to fly or take a boat in order to get to games in a national competition,” Blatter said.
“It is very difficult and I can understand the additional help you need to achieve the objectives you have for these projects
OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas talked about how OFC has had a restructure in recent years.
“70% of all our income now goes back to Member Associations and to the game instead of meetings like ways of old.”
Blatter was full of praise for OFC and said he was very happy with his time spent in Noumea.
“It is a great pleasure to be back in Oceania. I was impressed with my first visit to New Caledonia yesterday from beginning to end. Impressed with the opening of the technical and administrative centre of FCF in Paita, the enthusiasm of the young people in the population and the fact they now have access to a great new artificial surface.”
“The Karembeu Jubilee was a great opportunity for the public and all of Oceania – as the match was televised and created great publicity as it was wrought with emotion.”
Blatter spent a large part of his address discussing the OFC link with Australian football.
“I have had a meeting with the new prime minister of Australia. He plans to help Oceania and the islands as Australia has done in the past and will be looking for Oceania’s support in their bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”
“I have great trust and confidence in the job you are doing. I know it is not easy by distances and different means,
“But I am proud to be the president of FIFA when I see the exceptional development of this region and it can be done because you have a strong leader in OFC President Reynald Temarii with clear goals and vision.”
