Blatter inaugurates FEGAFOOT headquarters

Blatter inaugurates FEGAFOOT headquarters
(FIFA.com) Thursday 27 May 2010
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FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter ended his tour of west Africa with a trip to Gabon on Wednesday, marking his visit with the inauguration of the country’s second Goal project: a new headquarters for the Gabon Football Association (FEGAFOOT) in the major port town of Owendo, around 15km from the capital, Libreville.

After touching down the previous evening, President Blatter and his delegation got going in the morning, with the inauguration of the FEGAFOOT headquarters top on their agenda. Both the Mayor of Owendo, Jeanne Mbagou, and the FEGAFOOT President, Placide Engandzas, were in attendance for the occasion.

“I’m very grateful to the FIFA President for all his work for football,” said Mbagou. “It makes me extremely proud to have the headquarters of the association in my town, Owendo. Football is a positive force for youth, education and health.”
These headquarters are the fruit of the promise made by President Blatter to make sure everyone profits from football's success.
FEGAFOOT President Placide Engandzas on the organisation's new headquarters

President Blatter added: "You now have more than just a new building with these new headquarters. You have a symbol of solidarity, hope and all the emotions the people of Gabon have invested in the organisation of their football.”

For his part, President Engandzas stressed that “these headquarters are the fruit of the promise made by President Blatter to make sure everyone profits from football's success. I would like to underline as well that FIFA has also been active in Gabon with the construction of a Technical Centre as a Goal I project, an artificial pitch through the 'Win in Africa with Africa' initiative and by offering various courses and training programmes.”

The inauguration likewise gave President Blatter the opportunity to visit the association's licensing office, an essential element in the professionalisation of Gabonese football. The new computerised system, which FIFA hopes to see introduced across the globe, aims to improve the traceability of players and to raise their levels of protection, particularly for under-age players.

“It’s fundamental that the Gabonese association puts in place this system," explained the FIFA President. "It’s proof that football is undergoing professionalisation, and long term that will make it possible for talented locals to make a living and stay in Africa.”
The World Cup starts on 11 June. When it does, the whole African continent will realise it is capable of organising the number one sporting event. Gabon is already on the right track.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

After meeting with the members of FEGAFOOT’s executive committee, President Blatter attended an Under-15 schools tournament in the afternoon. In total, four teams were vying for glory: the Port Gentil national football school; the Louanga Faustin Baratte school of Franceville; the Koulamoutou football school and the Olivet youth sports school of Libreville. FIFA played its part by providing the schools with training equipment, boots, balls and tunics.

“The World Cup starts on 11 June,” added President Blatter. “When it does, the whole African continent will realise it is capable of organising the number one sporting event. Gabon is already on the right track, notably with the organisation of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Its youth football development is already well established and needs to continue, as does its development of the women’s game. Making progress in those areas is possible because the authorities and the association are working together.”

On Thursday, the FIFA delegation will end its tour of the Horn of Africa by stopping in at Port Gentil, the economic capital of Gabon, with the inauguration of the artificial pitch at Stade Divounguy their top priority.