Uganda: Hammam to Double Fifa Grant to $500,000

30 April 2011

Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has vowed to double the current financial assistance to member countries to $500,000 (Shs1.2b) per year.

Since 1998 when Fifa launched the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP), member countries have been receiving an annual grant of $250,000 (Shs586m).

Hammam announced the move after meeting senior members of English FA in London yesterday.

However the 61-year-old head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rejected suggestions that the generous increase in money for development projects were a form of vote-buying.

“People want to hear what the candidate is going to help them with,” Bin Hammam said.

“The need for the funds is essential for national associations – they need to have development projects, national teams, youth teams, facilities and it all costs money,” Bin Hammam said. “This is not an improper act people should know what I’m planning.”

Bin Hammam’s pledges to increase disbursements have been followed by similar pledges from Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The 75-year-old Swiss incumbent responded with a vow to set aside more than $1 billion (Shs2.3trillion) over four years.

The AFC boss also promised to increase the Goal Project grant from $400,000 to $1million (Shs2.4b).

AllAfrica – All the Time