Meridian agreement set to flourish
Thursday 23 June 2005
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Players from England and Nigeria underline the friendly links between UEFA and CAF (AFP)
UEFA has decided to give fresh impetus to the Meridian Project – the long-standing co-operation programme between UEFA and its sister confederation in Africa, CAF.
Technical and administrative training
UEFA's Executive Committee has given the go-ahead to a new scheme focusing mainly on providing technical training to youth football coaches and referees, and education on administrative and marketing matters to football administrators. The pan-African project will benefit all of Africa's 52 national associations.
Direct aid abolished
As a result, the two-year direct aid programme whereby UEFA has been giving direct support to two African national associations will be abolished. The partnership programme between European and African federations will continue, but will be left in the hands of the national associations under the Meridian Project banner.
Fresh format
The Meridian Cup will also continue under a new format, which will entail a competition part, comprising a two-legged match between two continental all-star Under-18 teams, and an educational part consisting of joint training sessions and meetings of coaches from Europe and Africa.
New concept
"We are very satisfied with the encouraging results achieved so far by the Meridian Project," said UEFA President Lennart Johansson. "Together with CAF, we have decided to create a new concept to bring fresh dynamism and to allow all of the African associations to benefit from this aid programme.
UEFA's responsibility
"We feel it is one of UEFA's responsibilities to help promote football in other continents, together with the respective confederations, and to help educate people involved in it," he added.
Learning experience
The Meridian Project co-operation agreement was concluded by UEFA and CAF in Lisbon, Portugal on 30 January 1997 to promote the exchange of cultures and to offer young footballers a unique learning experience within the framework of a football festival.
Previous venues
Leading national youth sides from each continent have taken part in previous editions of the Meridian Cup competition, which was first staged in Lisbon in 1997. The 1999 tournament was held in Cape Town, South Africa and the 2001 event was played in the Puglia region of southern Italy. Ismailyia, Egypt hosted the 2003 competition, with the 2005 edition taking place in Turkey.
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