FIFA Tsunami Task Force approves six new projects for USD 1.48 million

The FIFA Tsunami Task Force met under the chairmanship of AFC President and FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam and decided to approve six new projects in Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka for a total amount of USD 1.48 million, during a meeting held here on Thursday. 

The projects include the construction of different facilities, such as new fields, clubhouses, training centres and changing rooms, in order to replace the infrastructure destroyed by the tsunami.

The Task Force took note that of the USD 10.6 million of the funds pledged to the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund, nearly all have been received a remarkable result. Of that total amount, and including the USD 1.48 million associated to new projects approved today, over USD 8.7 million have already been awarded for reconstruction projects in the six FIFA member associations (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand) affected by the tragedy of December 2004.

After awarding new projects, the Task Force expressed its will to finalise the presentation of new reconstruction projects in the coming months, so that all of the funds collected are put into use for those projects by the end of the year, except for a small amount to be kept as a reserve.

The joint FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund was launched with immediate payments of USD 2 million and USD 1 million from FIFA and the AFC respectively. UEFA then pledged USD 1 million and thanks to various other donations from across the world, as well as through the SFootball for Hope⬝ solidarity match in Barcelona, the fund has reached the sum of over USD 10.6 million.

(the-afc)