Okanu Emelumba
21 May 2011
analysis
Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of democracy is the provision of freedom of speech and association. These factors are the lubricants which soothe frayed nerves and allow others to air their opinions, even when such may be disregarded.
As the June 1 presidential election draws close, there is no doubt that most confederates of the world football governing body must by now, retreat in deep retrospection to ask the critical question: who among the two candidates will protect our interest better? The election issue is no longer on corruption, but on group interest. Already, various federations are pledging their support to the man who is likely to win the election on June 1.
As it seems now, Sepp Blatter seems to be the favoured candidate, considering the plethora of support pledged to him. At the last count, the European, African, North, Central American and Caribbean and South American confederations, have pledged their support for the man. His challenger, Qatari billionnaire Mohammed Bin Hamman, can only boast his Asian confederation’s support. This is contrary to the expectations of many followers of FIFA politics, who had hoped that with the recent series of corrupt allegations against some FIFA Executive Committee members, the apex football association may witness a first dramatic change. But these expectations appear to have fizzled out. So, the deciding factor right now is who can lead FIFA as a truly global body, who among the two candidates holds a greater promise of accommodation and global appeal, and most importantly, who among the two can flourish the ideas, aspirations and expectations of individual confederations to its utmost? Of course, the answer is obvious.
Blatter, 75, who has served as FIFA president since 1998, will be challenged by Bin Hammam, 61, currently President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Swiss Blatter believes his rival wants “total change” which could lead to the “dismantling” and “collapse” of FIFA.
Hamman may hold some new promise of change and transparency, but he cannot distance himself from the FIFA Executive Committee accused of corruption, after 15 years on the seat. He, as a person, cannot play FIFA politics to the benefit of all, particularly the Europeans. So, it is not surprising that, in spite of his self assured belief that he can offer an effective challenge and possibly win the election, both friends and accomplices are already deserting him. His candidacy was also tarnished by claims in the British Parliament last week that two Fifa members were paid 1.5 million dollars to vote for Qatar 2022 – he played the key role in securing the tournament for his country.
So, the question will be asked among these two who can protect Africa’s interest better? At a meeting in Cairo last Monday, the Confederation of African Football said its Executive Committee had held a secret ballot and passed a motion to support Blatter in the FIFA election. It is obvious by the pronouncement, that the body must have weighed the options before pledging their support for Blatter. The message is simple, Blatter is the candidate they have confidence in. CAF may be accused of being dictatorial by their stance, but a critical analysis of Blatter’s role in promoting soccer on the continent, will exonerate them.
Right from the time he assumed the position of FIFA president on June 8, 1998, Blatter had looked on African development in football and ways to upgrade it with undiluted passion. Prior to his time, Africa had not had more than three national teams at the World Cup, but his coming to power changed all these. At present, Africa have five teams and stand a great opportunity of increasing it if they do well in subsequent World Cup finals. Blatter has also shown great compassion in allowing Africa host the World Cup for the first time in 2010; this against the long held belief that Africa cannot hold such an event.
In this his fourth coming, Blatter has promised to devote a whopping sum of one billion dollars for football development. This is where Africa lag behind among all the confederate associations. In comparison to other federations, Africa are poor, technically behind others and grossly lack in infrastructure. So, they are the continent that need FIFA’s assistance more than any other. Therefore, since Blatter has kept his promise in the past, trusting him now is not out of place.
Bin Hammam may be a new platform than Blatter as far as football development is concerned, but he has not been tested.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Africa: Blatter Vs Bin Hamman – Where Will Africa’s Interest be Protected?