May 4 – Months after the first World Cup in the Gulf, FIFA have presented their new FIFA Forward 3.0 programme to countries in the region with a workshop in Saudi Arabia.
The world federation wants to further develop the game in the region with money through the new iteration of their development programme. In Riyadh, 12 West Asian members were in attendance.
FIFA Forward 3.0 was launched in January. In the previous two iterations of the programme, FIFA distributed $2.8 billion to its member federations. But Zurich has promised to distribute more money than ever with up to $2.25 billion available, a seven-fold increase in football development investment FIFA president Gianni Infantino has repeatedly claimed.
With cash reserves at $4 billion and a budgeted revenue of $11 billion, FIFA have never been in a more comfortable position financially.
Members can apply for up to $5 million to cover operational costs in relation to football activities and up to $3 million “to execute well-planned, specific football projects that contribute to the achievement of long-term football development objectives”.
FIFA can provide the neediest associations with up to $1.2 million “to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for their national teams as well as football equipment.” Each confederation is entitled to $60 million.
Previously FIFA staged a workshop in Vietnam for South East Asia’s members. “The impact of the Forward Programme in the ASEAN region is remarkable,” said FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Jean-Marie at the time.
“Whilst football infrastructure has been the primary focus (construction of headquarters & national technical centres and stadia), FIFA has embarked on many other projects, from competitions to national teams funding support.”
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