FW 28 Teil 1-2012.indd - VCAB

“Our sport evokes
an unparalleled
passion, regardless
of the nationality or
background of those
playing the game.”
Cover photo: Oman striker
Hussein Al Hadhri celebrates
after scoring the opening goal in
the 2-0 win over Thailand that
sent his country into the fourth
round of Asian qualifying for the
2014 FIFA World Cup.
The same game –
from Britain to Bhutan
Dear friends of football,
The last few weeks have been particularly
exciting when it comes to football in Asia,
with February seeing a thrilling conclusion
to the continent’s third qualifying round
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup followed
shortly afterwards by the March draw for
the ten Asian teams still in contention for
a place in Brazil. While you can read more
about the Asian qualifying race starting on
page 34 of this month’s magazine, I would
also like to highlight the role that football is
playing even in those Asian countries that
cannot (yet) dream of participating in the
FIFA World Cup fi nals.
As the continent’s leading teams
gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the fourthround
draw, I was already in Asia on a
four-day working visit to India, Bangladesh,
Bhutan and Nepal. On many of my previous
trips to our member associations around
the world, I have witnessed fi rst-hand the
unparalleled passion that our sport evokes,
regardless of the nationality or background
of those playing the game, and this was
brought home once again during my brief
but fruitful visit.
A full report of the trip can be found
on page 27, but what struck me most
among the many highlights was how much
hope and inspiration football can give to
people. I had the honour of speaking to
many of the countries’ political leaders
who are themselves keen to harness
football’s potential for the benefi t of their
populations. I also saw new projects taking
shape on the ground – from FIFA Goal
development programmes in Bangladesh
and Nepal to the inauguration of new
EDITORIAL
pitches in Bhutan and even the launch of
a new initiative, supported by the AFC,
which uses football’s popularity to promote
messages aimed at stopping violence
against women.
Shortly before visiting Asia, I was in the
British birthplace of modern football for
the London gathering of the International
Football Association Board. Though the
setting could hardly have been more
different than the Himalayan beauty of
Nepal or Bhutan, it was reassuring to see
the devotion and dedication which the
“custodians” of the Laws of the Game still
apply to their stewardship of the sport’s
rules. Although it has been in existence
for over 125 years, it would be wrong
to confuse the Board’s tradition and
conservatism with a reluctance to embrace
change. The backing that has now been
given for the planned adoption of goal-line
technology coupled with the proposal to
allow women players to wear headscarves
demonstrates the Board’s willingness to
accept changes whenever they are for the
good of the game.
Ultimately, the main task of the
Board is to ensure that football remains
fundamentally the same whether it is
played in the parks of London or on the
fi elds of Bangladesh. From what I have
seen on my recent travels, that mission is
certainly being fulfi lled.
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012
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