FIFA: The Goal Bureau convened in Zurich on 17 February 2004 under the chairmanship of Mohamed Bin Hammam (Qatar). During the meeting, which was attended by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, the Bureau approved new projects in Malaysia and Guyana as part of the FIFA development programme Goal.
The Goal Bureau also selected the following four associations for a first project:
Central and North America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): British Virgin Islands
Oceania (OFC): Australia
Europe (UEFA): San Marino, Hungary
The following member associations received the green light for second projects:
Asia (AFC): Korea DPR, Iran, Jordan
Africa (CAF): Cape Verde Islands, Lesotho, Mauritania
South America (CONMEBOL): Paraguay
Central and North America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): Bahamas, Cuba, Nicaragua
The FIFA President expressed his great satisfaction at the progress of the Goal Programme, which he had conceived personally. “I am very proud of Goal,” President Blatter said. “This support for the associations has gained global recognition and not only within football circles.”
The FIFA President reiterated that, thanks to Goal, each of FIFA’s 204 affiliated associations would have a technical centre and its own headquarters by the end of 2006.
In the course of the 1999-2002 period – the first phase of Goal – 117 projects received funding totalling CHF 100 million. So far during the second phase, which runs from 2003 to 2006, assistance of CHF 50 million has been allocated to 50 projects. A further 62 projects are set to be implemented in the coming years.
Altogether 166 associations, including those pinpointed for aid at the meeting, have now benefited from Goal. In total, the programme has made 179 projects possible.
So far, 26,000 footballs have been distributed to 105 associations as part of the 100,000 adidas/Goal balls project. An additional 25,000 will be handed out every year from 2003 to 2006 under this initiative.