KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter Wednesday inaugurated the GOAL Project along with KFA President Sheikh Talal Al Sabah, in simple ceremonies at the Kuwait Football Association premises in Adailiya. Blatter was accompanied by a small delegation of FIFA officials and was met on his arrival at the KFA fields by Sheikh Talal and heads and officials of the different football clubs in Kuwait. It took Blatter some 10 minutes to get to podium as he had to shake hands with all dignitaries present as he was being introduced by Sheikh Talal, and spent much less time unveiling the FIFA GOAL Project marker before being ushered to meet the kids undergoing training at the grounds and kicked the ball around with them for a short while and later posed with different groups who took the opportunity to be in the picture with the world football Supremo.

After the whirlwind visit, Blatter and his group, accompanied by Sheikh Talal and KFA officials motored to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel for a press conference. In his speech, Blatter thanked His Highness the Amir, the Prime Minister and the government of Kuwait for the warm welcome and said he felt honored by it all. He said that the talks he had with HH Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah was fruitful and productive and touched on subjects such as the economy, world affairs and sports.

He said he was happy that Kuwait has finally put its football affairs in order which he added bodes well for the future development of the sport in the country. He said that he has been advocating for the spread of the World Cup in other countries around the world outside of the ‘traditional’ venues in the Americas and Europe, since he took over the helm at FIFA. After 2002, he said, the World Cup finally went global with games held for the first time in Asia and then Africa.

This, he said, to silence criticism that the World Cup is only being staged in rich countries. On the contrary, he said, “we are staging it in countries where we see a potential for the sport to grow and further develop.” On the controversy surrounding the awarding of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, Blatter said the selection process was carried out in the most transparent manner. In the case of Qatar, he said it met all the requirements and questions as to the excessive heat and the small 1.7 million strong Islamic country’s ability to cope with an influx of 400,000 fans, he said were all taken into consideration in appraising and examining its bid.

Blatter also said that the present format of 32 teams will remain and will be used in 2018 and 2022 until such time there is a compelling need to expand it. “Anyway,” he said, “much can happen between now and 2022, so until then, it remains to be seen.” Blatter also added that the World Cup is not just all about football but rather, a big and growing business that has impacted the economies of countries where the world’s most popular game is held.

For his part, KFA President Sheikh Talal Al Sabah thanked Blatter for his visit and for what he has done for KFA and Kuwait football in general and for bringing the World Cup to Qatar. The FIFA GOAL Program was initiated by FIFA President Joseph Blatter for the benefit of national associations, and was ratified by the 1999 Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Los Angeles. GOAL is a tailor-made development and assistance program designed to realize projects based on the specific needs of national associations.

The FIFA GOAL Project is an initiative of FIFA to assist countries around the world to construct their very own “House of Football” and technical facilities for the development and continued progress of football activities. FIFA has provided funds amounting to $400,000 for the installation of floodlights at the KFA playing facility in Adailiya and likewise provide another $500,000 for an IT system at the KFA headquarters, according to David Borja, FIFA Development Manager for Asia, one of those who accompanied Blatter on the trip. Meanwhile, Blatter expresses delight in meeting His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, describing their talks as fruitful.