WEST BANK: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - FIFA President Sepp Blatter meets Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and kicks off first ever Palestinian tournament

Record ID: 563213

  • Title: WEST BANK: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - FIFA President Sepp Blatter meets Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and kicks off first ever Palestinian tournament
  • Date: 16th May 2011
  • Summary: CHILDREN CARRYING FLAGS REPRESENTING COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN TOURNAMENT BLATTER, FAYYAD, PRINCE ALI AND RAJOUB WATCHING GAME PLAYERS AND CHILDREN STANDING DURING NATIONAL ANTHEMS
  • Embargoed: 31st May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank, West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA6ECZWTIKRO1SURAEY6NL2J2N5
  • Story Text: Fifa President Sepp Blatter Blatter inaugurated the first Palestinian international club tournament on Sunday (May 15), a symbolic day for Palestinians - the 63rd commemoration of the 'Nakba', or catastrophe - Israel's founding in 1948.
    Blatter met with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential compound in Ramallah, accompanied by Prince Ali al-Hussein of Jordan, the newly-elected Asian vice-president of FIFA and president of the West Asian Football Association. He offered Abbas a gift.
    Later, Blatter officially inaugurated the first international Palestinian tournament at the al-Ram football stadium.
    The youth tournament includes teams from South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Mauritania, Chile, Hungary, Jordan, and the Syrian Golan. It represents a step forward in an easing of Israeli restrictions on Palestinian athletes and sports events.
    "We want to send a message to the whole world that we are educated people who love sports, and we deserve to host tournaments regularly. And we thank everyone who contributed in this occasion," said spectator Mahmoud Abu Sadane.
    Blatter is standing for re-election shortly as FIFA president.
    He said he would push Israel to allow Palestinian athletes more freedom to travel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Israeli Football Association.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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