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CMC
Saturday, September 06, 2008
WARNER... Trinidadian is FIFA vice-president
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Former FIFA president Dr Joao Havelange has lavished praise on football strongman Jack Warner for his long-standing service to world football.
Havelange was speaking here Thursday morning during a media briefing after a half-hour tour of the multi-purpose Centre of Excellence facility named in Havelange's honour.
Havelange told the media that he was not surprised to see the high level of the Centre of Excellence because he knew that with it in Warner's hands, the FIFA vice-president would settle for nothing less.
"I am very, very surprised. I shouldn't have been surprised knowing Jack Warner as I have - one excellent president and administrator," said Havelange, who ran FIFA from 1974 to 1998.
"But everything I saw I never expected to have seen here today. This place is a benefit to CONCACAF. It was the passion of Jack Warner that made this. I am very happy to have witnessed the completion of the dream of Jack Warner.
"I don't believe that other confederations can offer what CONCACAF can offer to its members and all this we owe to one person - Jack Warner, his tenacity, his loyalty and also to his wish to offer to the region one centre of this quality.
"I am very happy to have a friend like Jack Warner, a president as he has demonstrated. The years shall go by and we shall always applaud Jack Warner," Havelange added.
Havelange is one of several international football figures who arrived here this week for the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation's centennial celebrations.
Sepp Blatter, president of football's world governing body, along with European football boss Michel Platini, are among the dignitaries here.
Warner expressed appreciation to Havelange for sharing in the TTFF's special celebrations.
"Dr Havelange is 92 years old and the TTFF is 100 years and the best gift he could have given us here is his presence," the CONCACAF boss said.
"I want to express to him our deep thanks and appreciation. I pledge we will always honour his name, the name given to his facility by keeping it all times - The Centre of Excellence."
Warner was also at the Piarco International Airport Thursday evening to welcome FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and English FA Chairman Lord David Triesman who has a dual role as chairman of the FA's World Cup bid company.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
WARNER... Trinidadian is FIFA vice-presidentPORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Former FIFA president Dr Joao Havelange has lavished praise on football strongman Jack Warner for his long-standing service to world football.
Havelange was speaking here Thursday morning during a media briefing after a half-hour tour of the multi-purpose Centre of Excellence facility named in Havelange's honour.
Havelange told the media that he was not surprised to see the high level of the Centre of Excellence because he knew that with it in Warner's hands, the FIFA vice-president would settle for nothing less.
"I am very, very surprised. I shouldn't have been surprised knowing Jack Warner as I have - one excellent president and administrator," said Havelange, who ran FIFA from 1974 to 1998.
"But everything I saw I never expected to have seen here today. This place is a benefit to CONCACAF. It was the passion of Jack Warner that made this. I am very happy to have witnessed the completion of the dream of Jack Warner.
"I don't believe that other confederations can offer what CONCACAF can offer to its members and all this we owe to one person - Jack Warner, his tenacity, his loyalty and also to his wish to offer to the region one centre of this quality.
"I am very happy to have a friend like Jack Warner, a president as he has demonstrated. The years shall go by and we shall always applaud Jack Warner," Havelange added.
Havelange is one of several international football figures who arrived here this week for the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation's centennial celebrations.
Sepp Blatter, president of football's world governing body, along with European football boss Michel Platini, are among the dignitaries here.
Warner expressed appreciation to Havelange for sharing in the TTFF's special celebrations.
"Dr Havelange is 92 years old and the TTFF is 100 years and the best gift he could have given us here is his presence," the CONCACAF boss said.
"I want to express to him our deep thanks and appreciation. I pledge we will always honour his name, the name given to his facility by keeping it all times - The Centre of Excellence."
Warner was also at the Piarco International Airport Thursday evening to welcome FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and English FA Chairman Lord David Triesman who has a dual role as chairman of the FA's World Cup bid company.