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The Football Family is awaiting to extend a warm welcome to the FIFA  president Mr. Joseph Blatter to Sri Lanka for the Tsunami Inspection tour on the 3rd of April 2006 together with the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam . A true God Father of world football family Mr. Blatter initiated a joint fund with Mr. Hammam a true Friend of Sri Lanka , the AFC President to help rebuild the nations effected by Tsunami devastations. The Srilankan here recall with great gratitude the suuport and helping hand extended on an immediate basis and long term recovery. The fund will help build 17 training centers and playgrounds island wide with the grant of approx. USD 3 million [ Rs.300 million] .
 
We are also ever grateful for Mr. Blatter for his FIFA GOAL Initiative and the implementation  of the concept with Mr. Hammam's Chairmanship which has gifted Sri Lanka a Football House as the first Goal project and the training centre and sports complex at Baddagana as the 2nd Goal project.The first project was ceremonially opened in 2002 by Mr. Blatter together with Mr. Hammam and the 2nd Goal project was ceremonially opened by Dr. Urs Linsi the General Secretary of FIFA together with Mr. Hammam in 2005.
 
The duo will visit the Tsunami affected areas, witness a beach soccer match played by Tsunami affected children during their one day visit to this beautiful island once destroyed by Tsunami and on the path of recovery thanks to many as World Football Family.
 
We are sure that they will enjoy true Sri Lankan hospitality and express our heartfelt gratitude for them.
 
VIVA FIFA President and VIVA AFC President ! !

Memories from 2002 visit:

Mr. Blatter welcomed by Mr. Manilal Fernando at the airport


Mr. Blatter and Mr. Hammam with the Foreign Minister Hon.Mangala Samaraweera at the foundation laying ceremony
in Baddagana for the Goal project 2

Mr. Fernando expining the Model of Baddagana Training centre to FIFA and AFC Presidents .
Looking on is Dato Paul Mony the AFC Asst.General Secratary.

Media Unit -FFSL