LAGOS – FIFA on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund, which is the focus ahead of the tournament.
A statement on the FIFA website, disclosed that Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary-General, and Brazilian Football Association (CBF) President, José Maria Marin, signed the memorandum.
It confirmed that the legacy fund which would total 100 million dollars would be used for development in the areas of infrastructure, women’s grassroots football, healthcare and social programmes for the underprivileged communities.
According to the statement, the funds will be the focus in the 15 states that were not home to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Host Cities.
“The signing of this MoU confirms FIFA’s commitment toward the sustainable development of football in Brazil.
“We are convinced that the legacy fund will be an excellent platform to spread the benefits of the unforgettable 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“As in South Africa and Brazil, it is also our intention to use the upcoming FIFA World Cups to promote the sustainable development of football in the host countries,” the statement quoted Valcke as saying.
The CBF president said the 2014 FIFA World Cup legacy fund would prove a catalyst for Brazil’s football development, particularly at youth and grassroots level.
“We are truly convinced that Brazilians will remember the 2014 FIFA World Cup for generations to come, as a tournament that made a fundamental contribution to our football,” it said.
The first project of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund was unveiled by Valcke and Marin in July.
While funding, monitoring and control will be the responsibility of FIFA, the project’s proposals and implementation will be the responsibility of the CBF, based on specific plans submitted to and approved by FIFA.
As per the relevant FIFA regulations, all funds provided by FIFA under the project will be subject to an annual central audit by KPMG. (NAN)
