Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Visiting FIFA President Joseph S Blatter inaugurated the FIFA Goal Project-financed artificial turf in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.
The chief of the World football governing body arrived in the capital earlier in the day on a two-day visit. This is Blatter’s second visit to Bangladesh after April 2006.
Mr. Blatter also inaugurated the launching of FIFA-backed first full fledged Football Academy in Sylhet by unveiling the replica of the proposed academy from a decorated podium in front of the BFF Bhaban.
The Football Academy is set to be operational from the middle of this year with some 40-50 talented players and the FIFA will give financial support initially for two years.
Addressing the gathering, the FIFA president said: “It’s a great day not only for you but also for FIFA, an institution of 208 national associations… we are happy to be here today with three members of the FIFA executive committee including AFC President Zhang Zilong and Manilal Fernando.”
“I would also like to commend Bangladesh Football Federation and its famous president Mohammad Kazi Salahuddin. I also like to thank the government of her Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; we also had an opportunity to meet her,” he added.
Earlier, the FIFA boss and members of his delegation were accorded a warm reception at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital on their arrival at 12:30 pm on the day from New Delhi by a chartered flight.
The FIFA president arrived at the BFF House at about 3.45 pm and exchanged views with BFF president Kazi M Salahuddin and the BFF executive committee members.
He also opened a photo exhibition on BFF premises, organized by the Bangladesh Sports Press Association before he addressed the football elite and audience from a well-decorated podium at the BFF premises.
The FIFA president will leave Dhaka for Bhutan Wednesday morning at 9:30 am (local time).
BBN/SSR/SI-07Mar12-8:10 am (BST)
