FIFA’s Goal Programme, development through football
FIFA is the world’s largest governing body in sport. It oversees the worldwide implementation of the rules and regulations governing the sport of football. It has numerous member countries and ensures the smooth running of the game in these nations.
In this regard one of the things that the huge governing body does is introduce and oversee football related development projects in member countries. This is done through the Goal Programme and it tries to start football projects and development work around the sport of football in the world’s most vulnerable and poorest nations. It is a very noble project that one hopes will have far reaching effects.
The Goal Programme was launched in 1999 by FIFA President Joseph Blatter and has proven to be very successful over the years. After 2002 it moved into its second phase and more projects followed.
The aim and purpose of the programme is to fund and build football infrastructure in member nations all over the world. Stadiums were built, training academies were financed and grassroots level football projects were inaugurated.
The first huge goal of the programme was completed when each member country had its own House of Football built. The first two stages of the programme were funded through CHF 100 million and Goal is now in its third phase, which was from 2007 to 2010, and has a working budget of US$ 120 million.
The aims and objectives of the Goal Programme are very noble; basically the project looks to enhance social development functions within member countries through the use of football. It has four goals, which are that firstly the programme will promote the game of football, and the universal aspects of understanding and social equality.
Next it will seek to make equal the standards and infrastructures in each of its member countries. Thirdly it will help to establish transparent and modern football administrations free from government interference. And lastly it will try to promote the long term development of each of its member countries and promote peace and understanding between them.
With this project, even though the focus will always remain on football, it looks as if FIFA is trying to change the world for the better in its own way. Having member countries that are free from poverty and corruption along with being stable and peaceful, helps not only FIFA but the sport of football overall and the world as well.
Football is a game that brings people and nations together and can be used as a great vehicle for peace and understanding. Now it seems it is being used as a tool for development and social upheaval as well.
It seems the universality of the beautiful game helps it achieve this goal. Football is played in almost every country in the world and is one of the simplest and most popular sports around. Tapping into that universal aspect of the game has allowed the governing body to implement its development projects and programmes worldwide.
FIFA is not a country and it does not have any sort of political agenda at the end of the day. Yes it may have an economic agenda because the more football that is played around the world the better it is for FIFA, but at the same time they are using this as a way to help poor and underdeveloped countries.
Recently the devastating floods in Pakistan brought the Goal Programme into action. Football is a great way to alleviate people’s misery and suffering and also the fact remains that numerous stadiums and pitches and training facilities were washed away in the floods. So the Goal Programme has taken the step of rebuilding the damaged stadiums and re-establishing football in the worst hit areas of the country.
Hopefully the goals of this great football driven social project will all be realised. It has the power to really influence the haves of the world to do something to help the have-nots.
By using the game of football, it is a very unique way to go about bringing social change in developing countries around the world. Sepp Blatter and FIFA are doing a great job and everyone, who loves the sport of football, should get behind this project and support its goals and aspirations.
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