There will be a US $2 million increase ($FJD 4.6m) in the FIFA funding for Fiji Foot­ball Association in the next cycle, which starts next year.

This was revealed by FIFA secre­tary general Fatma Samoura at the Fiji FA headquarters in Vatuwaqa, Suva, yesterday.

The FIFA official arrived into the country on Saturday night, visited the FIJI FA academy in Suva and was hosted at a dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, last night.

Presentations were made to Samoura on FIFA projects and Fiji FA competitions.

“When I look at the figures but also hear about all the investments that have been made over the past few years I can just say that the FIFA Forward money here is money well spent and it deserves a round of ap­plause”,” she said.

“There is no secret in football, if you do invest the money in the right thing, have a good approach and sus­tainable strategy you will deserve it.”

Samoura congratulated the nation­al women’s team for being runner-up in the OFC women’s nation’s cup.

She added that FIFA has extended the next women’s World Cup to 32 teams and hopes for Fiji to showcase their talent at the world stage.

The Senegalese said more work should be done to develop women’s football in the country.

“Infrastructure is a key issue be­cause from my gathering here eve­rything seem to be available for the men’s but there is not much space available for the women to be prac­ticing to the level that they will reach their full potential,” Samoura said.

“This could be achieved with the FIFA programme and starting in the next cycle there will be a substantial increase in the FIFA funding from $6m to $8 ($FJD18.738000), meaning you will have another $2m added on your budget to achieve some of the critical investment that you need in terms of infrastructure buildings and promoting the game in all the categories.

“My plea would be for you to also develop on women’s football,” she added.

She said there was a gap in the men’s and women’s World Cup com­petitions that needs to be bridged. She believed that the development in the grassroots will take Fiji foot­ball to a new height in future.

“You have many opportunities to close that gap compared to the men’s,” she said.

“The additional resources also in the technical development pro­grammes in terms of teaching and educating coahes and also more ad­ministrators.

“Fiji FA is on the right track and you just have to show the world that you can take it to new heights.

“You have the possibility also, through the recruitment of tech­nical people like Timo Jankowski verifies use of FIFA money and the possibility to take your team to the world and also to help the young tal­ent shine outshine this beautiful is­land – possible of global exposure in other continent competition.

“Keep up the good work and let’s together make sure that one day while we are still active in football see you ladies lift up the FIFA wom­en’s World Cup,”Samoura added.

She will meet the Minister for Edu­cation Premila Kumar today.

Meanwhile, Samoura was appoint­ed as the first female secretary gen­eral of FIFA by president, Gianni Infantino in 2016.

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