Bank of Palestine, represented by its Assistant General Manager Mr Hani Nasser, Head of the Palestinian Football Federation Major General Jibril Rjoub, and FIFA President Joseph Blatter signed an MoU to support Blatter Football Academy for Children. The signing of the MoU took place during a special Ramadan breakfast ceremony held at Jdoudna Restaurant in Ramallah. The signing ceremony, which took place two hours before Blatter’s departure after a two-day visit to Palestine, was attended by ministers, ambassadors and consuls from Arab and foreign countries, as well as by representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations and the Palestinian Monetary Authority.
Pursuant to the agreement, Bank of Palestine will provide financial support to the Academy’s activities. The Blatter Football Academy for Children is subsidiary to the Palestinian Football Federation. A qualified team from the Federation administers the Academy and capable and talented children will be selected for training in the Academy and preparing them to represent Palestine in international arenas and forums.
The opening ceremony for the Blatter Football Academy for Children was held one day prior to the signing of the MoU. Consisting of three storeys of 1000 square meters, the Academy is located in Al-Bireh. It houses meeting rooms fully equipped with high-tech, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and physiotherapy ward. The second floor of the building is a guest house with 25 accommodation rooms.
During the opening ceremony FIFA President Blatter expressed delight for establishing the Football Academy for Children which, he added, will push forward “the wheel of Palestinian sports.” Blatter pointed to the fact that the Academy which carries his name will have a crucial role in bringing up a new generation capable of “soaring with sports to distant horizons.” He concluded, “I am happy to be a Palestinian and to address you with a Palestinian tongue and heart.”