'Football is the solution for violence in the South' : Blatter
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Fifa president launches Football for Hope project
Fifa president Joseph Blatter has a solution to end the insurgency in Thailand: football.
The boss of world football’s governing body yesterday initiated the “Football for Hope” project, which he believes would bring people, especially in the three southernmost provinces, together.
“In a world that is so much disturbed by different catastrophes and financial crisis, football can play a part by connecting people and giving them hope for a better world,” said the Fifa chief during his visit to Bangkok for the Futsal World Cup final yesterday.
“There is a region here in Thailand where there are some difficulties. We discussed with Worawi Makudi [Thailand Football Association president] to find a way and we have the ‘Football for Hope’ project. We are not here to make peace, but we can prepare a better future for the people through football,” added Blatter.
Separatist attacks have plagued the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat for the better part of a decade. Blatter named Syria and Afghanistan as countries where despite internal conflicts football is widely popular.
“Can you imagine that football is regularly played in Syria? There is a league played in Afghanistan; there is only one stadium in Kabul with a 5,000 capacity. Football has not been affected in countries where there are difficulties. So futsal, which has the same characteristics as football, can be used to bring people together,” he added.
Blatter paid compliments to the local organisers for their conduct of the Fifa Futsal World Cup although Fifa, earlier this month, declined to approve the Bangkok Futsal Arena, citing security and other concerns with the facilities.
“The hospitality here is exceptional. We organised the under-19 women’s World Cup in 2004 here in this country. It was a big success,” said Blatter, who like his other colleagues barely mentioned the controversial futsal site in Nong Jok, which was not approved and forced the local organisers to use the renovated Hua Mark Indoor Stadium instead.
“We wondered whether it could be done. They have proved that it could be done. Thailand has done very well. As usual Thai people have been very friendly to us, very cooperating. They have tried to help us,” said Manilal Fernando, Fifa Futsal Committee Chairman.
Regardless of the circumstances, local Organising Committee president Suwat Liptapanlop looked forward to Fifa’s continuous support in granting more events to the Kingdom.
“We hope to see more Fifa activities in Thailand , even if it’s the Fifa congress. Thai people would be pleased to host future Fifa activities,” said Suwat, who a few days ago said during an interview that Fifa praised Thailand for hosting the best ever Fifa Futsal World Cup.
Makudi said Fifa asked him to deliver a thank you message to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for hosting the Futsal World Cup.
Meanwhile, Blatter admitted that an attempt has been made to include futsal in the Olympics. But with two new disciplines – golf and rugby sevens – already added to the 2016 edition in Brazil, the Fifa president hoped to see futsal in the 2020 episode. “The Olympics programme was fully booked with 26 sports in London and 28 in Brazil. Our demand is still going on. Futsal especially is one of the disciplines that will fit in because you don’t need to create a big stadium to play it. For the time being we are on the waiting list,” he said.
