Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and Government of Senegal on Friday signed agreement for the new regional office to open in Dakar.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and Senegal Foreign Affairs Minister Sidiki Kaba signed the agreement for establishment of an office in the country that will serve as regional headquarters for West and Central Africa.
Dakar was chosen to host the regional office for reasons ranging from convenience to linguistic proximity.
On Friday, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura told reporters that the opening of the new office is part of the world football’s governing body mission to strengthen support to member organizations and thanked the Senegalese government for accepting to host the office.
“By accepting to host the regional office for West and Central Africa and by making space available free of charge for the magnificent building that we have just inaugurated, is indeed a pride to the entire football family, “said Samoura as translated from French.
“As part of its vision FIFA 2.0, the Federation has resolutely taken the option of putting football at the center of its decisions and the opening of regional offices in 9 countries including the Dakar is an unequivocal symbol of commitment FIFA to strengthen dialogue with key players in football, “added Samoura.
On the other hand, Senegal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sidiki Kaba said that the signing of the pact is of a great importance to the government and the people of the country as it extends the fruitful partnership between FIFA and member states in Africa.
The minister added that he is convinced the new office space offered to FIFA by the Government of Senegal will allow the implementation of FIFA projects in Africa.
“You will agree with me that football is also a powerful tool for promoting peace because, by promoting their encounter and rapprochement, it cultivates the natural understanding and tolerance among people, “Kaba said.
Kaba concluded by stating that Senegalese people are proud of Fatuma Samoura appointment as FIFA Secretary General.
The main tasks of the Dakar Office are to support the federations in the development and implementation of their strategies, the effectiveness of their governance and the management of their financial resources in conformity with the provisions of the Program Forward recently adopted by FIFA.
