Friday 15 October 2021, 20:00

FIFA proud to support Venezuela’s big ambitions

The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has applauded the Venezuelan Football Federation’s (FVF) commitment to developing football at all levels, as football in the South American country embarks upon a new era under a dynamic and proactive new administration.

Congratulating FVF President, Jorge Gimenez, on his highly successful first 100 days in office, President Infantino said the future of football in Venezuela looks particularly bright under the guidance of the 34-year-old President. “My warmest congratulations to FVF President Jorge Gimenez, as he celebrates his first 100 days in office,” President Infantino said. “He has already achieved some truly great work and no doubt the FVF will go on to benefit further under his leadership.”

During his first visit to Caracas, the President enjoyed breakfast with the President Gimenez, members of the FVF Board of Directors, and directors of the Venezuelan Liga FUTVE and CONMEBOL. There, various projects supported by the FIFA Forward programme, including those with a strong emphasis on women’s football were discussed. The President then visited the Estadio Olimpico de la UCV, to see how the FVF’s special women’s development project, ‘Nace un sueño’ (‘A dream is born’) is coming to life, thanks to the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan.

The FIFA President said: “It was fantastic to see the talent on show among Venezuela’s ever-growing pool of players, now benefitting from a high-performance dedicated to women’s football and funded by FIFA Forward, in nearby Yaracuy, and the ongoing women’s football project, ‘Nace un sueño’.”

While his first visit to Caracas, the President already holds fond football memories of the country. “I already have a very special relationship with Venezuela, because my first World Cup was when they reached the Under-20 FIFA World Cup final. There, I could see the great talent that was emerging,” President Infantino explained.

“Venezuela is country of sports, football and great talent. It is important that a country like Venezuela, which adores football, is able to play a key role in its development, not only here, or at a South American level, but globally. We are very much looking forward to working to support Venezuelan football, and to promote it to the highest levels.”

FVF President, Jorge Gimenez, said it was an honour to receive President Infantino. “Having the FIFA President visit us is really quite exciting for us, for all of us involved in this sport. To have FIFA visiting us here in Caracas, just 100 days into the new administration, speaks volumes and it is a day to be celebrated. We are proud to have important projects to talk about, such as the establishment of new sports venues in Caracas.

“We’re delighted and grateful to have welcomed the FIFA President to our country, and to be moving into an era of football with greater transparency and one which we can all be proud of.”