HRH Premier receives FIFA president

Manama, Apr. 29 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called for concerted efforts in order to allow the region to host mega international sporting events, given sport's role in promoting global peace. "In Bahrain, we extend our hands to international sport associations, including FIFA, to enhance cooperation in consolidating the role of sport in spreading the values of love and tolerance among peoples," he said as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today FIFA President Joseph Blatter, currently on a visit to Bahrain to take part in the 26th Asian Football Confederation Ordinary Congress, hosted by the kingdom. HRH Premier affirmed the crucial role played by sporting events in bringing humans together, noting that sport is independent from politics, partisanship and division. "The region has every right to host sporting events that bring peoples together; not wars that divides them," HRH Premier said. He lauded the key role played by FIFA, under the presidency of Joseph Blatter, praising, at the same time, the landmark contributions of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), under the presidency of Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, to boosting Asian football and enhancing cohesion among the Asian football community. HRH Premier asserted that Qatar's hosting of the World Cup 2022 is a GCC achievement, given its positive outcomes whose fruits will be reaped by all countries of the region. Reviewing with Joseph Blatter FIFA's programmes and activities, HRH Premier praised FIFA's role in enhancing efforts to promote the game of football and consolidate its noble message. FIFA President congratulated HRH Premier on his landmark achievements in various fields, which entitled Bahrain to reach world levels. He lauded HRH Premier's far-sighted visions and statesmanship which, he said, contributed to ensuring Bahrain's leading status in various fields.