FIFA President Reflects on Historic Visit to Zambia
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his gratitude to FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and the Zambian community for their warm welcome during his two-day visit to Zambia.
In a letter dated 26 June 2024 to Kamanga, Infantino remarked that the visit reinforced his commitment to developing the game of football.
“I would like to thank you and your team for affording us such a cordial welcome and warm hospitality and making our stay so special on the occasion of our visit to Zambia on Wednesday, 12 and Thursday, 13 June 2024,” he wrote.
During the visit, Infantino participated in significant events, including an audience with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, the inauguration of the FAZ Accommodation Centre built with FIFA Forward programme support, and the commemoration of the Gabon Air Disaster at the Memorial Site.
Youth exhibition matches and discussions with the Zambian football executive committee and stakeholders were also highlights.
Infantino emphasised that these moments offered opportunities to share ideas and visions for football, expressing FIFA’s support for the development of the sport in Zambia, especially youth and women’s football, and improving football infrastructure.
“The time spent together also allowed us to strengthen the ties between FIFA and Zambia and to highlight the unifying role that football can play in society, especially for the benefit of youth,” Infantino stated.
He assured that the visit had reinforced FIFA’s determination to work collaboratively for the prosperity of football and the community in Zambia. Infantino was accompanied by Mattias Grafstrom and Director of Member Associations Gelson Fernandez.
