HM King receives FIFA President

Manama, Apr.29 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has today received at Sakhir Palace FIFA President Joseph Blatter and the heads of the continental football federations, currently on visit to Bahrain to take part in the 26th Asian Football Confederation Ordinary Congress which will open tomorrow (April30). HM the King welcomed Mr. Blatter and other federations’ officials, wishing them success in their meeting to promote the march of football on the continental level in Asia. He expressed Bahrain’s pride at hosting such a high-level meeting which reflects Bahrain’s standing in Asia as well as its credentials in hosting regional and international championships and events. He commended the efforts of FIFA President to promote football internationally and spearhead programmes aimed to develop soccer, the most popular sport in the world, hailing the key role of continental federations. HM the King stressed the crucial role of sport in consolidating friendship between people states and building bridges of understanding and communication and fostering the values of amity between peoples in the world. He underlined the importance of bolstering cooperation between continental and national federations to achieve desired aspirations and develop football, hailing the efforts of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa. Blatter thanked HM the King for the warm welcome and genuine hospitality, hailing Bahrain’s development strides in all fields, particularly youth and sport.