BFA trusts new FIFA president

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday March 1, 2016 14:43

 

“In his campaign, Infantino spoke about bridging the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. He said he would increase grants for associations.

This shows the interests of Africa will be protected,” Sebego said at a press briefing at Lekidi Centre yesterday.

Sebego said he doesn’t expect projects spearheaded by deposed president Sepp Blatter to suffer under Infantino. Despite a sour end to his reign, Blatter was credited with pushing development in less privileged constituencies, particularly Africa through the FIFA Goal Projects.

“It has been business as usual. We were told everything is moving as usual. The projects pushed by Blatter were supported by FIFA, so none of the projects should be affected. If anything we expect new projects,” he said.

Responding to journalists’ concerns that Africa might face neglect under the new leadership, Sebego said instead there could be advantages. “There might be an advantage in that Infantino will try and prove that he is a president of all the 209 associations.”

Africa had backed Asian Football Federation president, Sheikh Salman who however, lost to the Swiss lawyer. Sebego said they believe Infantino is an equally capable leader as Africa’s choice, Salman. The powerful UEFA had backed Infantino.

He said they had met the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and the President Ian Khama on the choice of the candidate.

“We were given the blessing to go with our preferred choice. The President as our patron and BNSC said they trusted our judgement,” Sebego said.

Meanwhile, Sebego believes the introduction of new sweeping reforms at FIFA would be key to driving transparency and help clean the embattled association.

Among the reforms proposed by the FIFA reforms committee, the presidential terms have been limited to three or 12years. Sebego said under the new reforms, “it cannot be your way but the people’s way”.