UEFA support for two African countries

Ethiopia and the Republic of Central Africa have been chosen as the two African countries to receive direct aid from UEFA over the next two years as part of the Meridian Project between UEFA and the African confederation CAF.

Cairo meeting
The decision was announced after a meeting of the Meridian Project Board held at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on the eve of the latest edition of the Meridian Cup youth tournament involving eight Under-17 teams from both continents.

Wide-ranging support
The two associations will follow São Tomé and Príncipe and Cape Verde, who have been receiving sporting, educational and infrastructure support from European football's governing body under the project over the past two years.

African development
The Meridian Project involves widespread football co-operation between Europe and Africa, with many European associations providing crucial support to partner countries in Africa, thereby helping football on that continent to develop.

Extending links
At the latest board meeting, it was decided to pursue efforts to extend direct bilateral links between European and African member associations, and improve co-operation between the various development programmes operated by UEFA, CAF and world football's governing body FIFA. The next Meridian Cup tournament will also be held in Europe in 2005.

Essential element
"The Meridian Project is an essential element in the partnership between Europe and Africa," said CAF president Issa Hayatou after the meeting. "The assistance and aid provided is making a real contribution to football in Africa. We truly appreciate the efforts being made by UEFA and the European member associations, and we look forward to further developing our excellent collaboration."

Further progress
"UEFA is proud to continue our co-operation with CAF and to play a role in the continuing development of African football, added UEFA senior vice-president and Meridian Project Board chairman Senes Erzik. "We are committed to making further progress in the Meridian Project and I am particularly delighted that the next Meridian Cup will be hosted in Europe in 2005."