Suspended FIFA president Sepp Joseph Blatter has openly declared
his support for former Abia state Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to occupy
the exalted position of FIFA President, even as he has faulted the
candidature of former Secretary General Jerome Champagne and
Prince Alli of Jordan.
Speaking in Zurich, Blatter said ” The position of the FIFA president is
too important to be left to just anybody. I have heard of some
candidates who want to take over from me. But I find the
Businessman from Nigeria Kalu very qualified and interesting because
he is not only a businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts
and corporate experience. He can bring his great experiences to bear
in the running of world football.
He is passionate about the game. I remember how he sponsored one
of Nigerian clubs to win the CAF championship twice. He is a man
that can take world football to the next level”, Blatter told the Swiss
Radio monitored on Sunday.
Blatter said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it was
in the best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep
passion for the game. “If Africa hopes to win the support of other
federations, then they must queue behind the Nigerian business man.
Football has developed beyond just anybody taking over.
I sacked Jerome Champgne in 2010 so how can he come back to lead
an Association he tried to destroy. You need a man who can
command respect and win friends for football.
With Kalu Africa stands a better chance, he concluded. CAF is
expected to meet next week to decide on a candidate for the election
scheduled for next year. Orji Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the two
candidates vying for the post from Africa.
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