FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will visit Morocco and Algeria from 29 April-2 May, with a programme that includes unveiling Goal and Win in Africa with Africa projects and meeting dignitaries from the two countries.
The FIFA delegation, accompanied by CAF President Issa Hayatou, will first travel to Morocco. There, they will visit the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, before heading to the National Football Centre in Maamora. The FIFA President will then officially unveil the pitches at the National Football Centre of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF), which were built as part of Goal projects II and III.
The following day, on 30 April, the FIFA group will visit the site of the future RMFF headquarters, which are currently under construction. Later that same day, President Blatter will enjoy an audience with Mohamed Ouzzine, the Moroccan Minister of Youth and Sports.
Golden anniversaries
The FIFA delegation will then travel to Algeria. For the North African country, 2012 is a particularly special year as it marks 50 years since independence on 5 July 1962. Algeria’s football federation was also founded in 1962, and, as such, will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In the evening, the FIFA President will hold a working meeting with Hechemi Djiar, the Algerian Minister of Youth and Sports.
On 1 May, President Blatter will unveil the new pitch at the National Technical Centre of the Algerian Football Federation (AFF) in Sidi Moussa, Algiers, built as part of FIFA’s Win in Africa with Africa programme. Afterwards, the FIFA delegation will visit the AFF’s headquarters in Dely Ibrahim, which were built thanks in part to Goal projects I and II, and FIFA’s Financial Assistance Programme (FAP).
Finally, in the evening, President Blatter will attend the Algerian Cup final at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers. The semi-finals, to be held on 20 and 21 April, will see CR Belouizdad play CS Constantine and ES Setif take on USM El Harrach.