Despite being on a tight schedule, Sayed-Khaiyum took time out from his government duties to attend the inauguration of the facility – the latest phase of the FIFA Goal Programme in Fiji – last week in Suva and expressed his admiration for those who have worked tirelessly to see it come to fruition.
“It gives me much pleasure to be here and to see this wonderful facility that is built primarily through the contribution of FIFA and of course OFC, the main representatives of FIFA in this part of the world,” he said in his address.
“In any country and in any sport, the development starts at the grassroots level at a very early age. In order for that to happen you need to have the right facilities and a professional attitude in place to do well in that sport,” he added.
“With the opening of this facility we all hope that this is the beginning of a professional development that is critical to ensuring Fiji positions itself not just as a football-playing nation but as a football-playing nation that has credibility and does well internationally, both in the region and further afield.”
Sayed-Khaiyum was joined at the function as an honoured guest by OFC President and FIFA Vice-President David Chung while FIFA Development Officer for Oceania Glenn Turner was also in attendance.
The new National Headquarters and Regional Technical Centre is located in the Vatuwaqa region of Suva and will complement the National Football Academy in Ba, construction of which was the first phase of Fiji’s Goal Project.
The latest phase has been funded jointly by the Goal Programme – a FIFA initiative that enables member associations to implement projects designed to develop football in their countries – and Fiji FA’s own resources and work began following a ground-breaking ceremony in February 2009.
The next stage of the development has been approved as a Goal III Project and will provide additional playing area facilities, work on which will begin this month.
The National Headquarters and Regional Technical Centre consists of many impressive features, including modern administration facilities, an education centre, accommodation, dining rooms and kitchens, changing rooms and an international-sized futsal court.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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