Fifa President Infantino set to visit Tanzania for summit

Fifa President Gianni Infantino is expected to visit Tanzania on February 22 for the Fifa summit, bringing together 19 other member associations.

Coincidentally on the same date, former Tanzania Football Federation President Jamal Malinzi will be appearing in the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on corruption allegations which have turned out to be a never-ending marathon.

Money-laundering cases are not bailable in Tanzania. Infantino is not likely to comment on Malinzi’s case, but he most definitely will touch on projects which were initiated by the former TFF President.

The projects include developments in Youth & Women’s football, hosting of the U-17 Afcon and the construction of a Football Development Center in Tanga.

Infantino will be accompanied by Caf President Ahmad Ahmad, Fifa Vice Chairman David Gill, Fifa General Secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura plus Fifa and Caf executive committee’s members.

The current TFF President Wallace Karia has yet to display his agenda since taking over the reins six months ago, as his office seems to be overshadowed by Malinzi’s achievements.

The first Fifa summit took place in Qatar 2017 and was attended by the TFF President and Secretary General.

The agenda of the summit will be various Fifa projects best known as Fifa Forward Programme, Youth and women soccer. Others are Fifa calendar, improving Fifa and member’s relations and their priorities.

Participants for the summit set to be held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center, are Bahrain, Palestina, Saudi Arabia, United Arabs Emirates (UAE), Algeria, Burundi, Central Africa, Ivory Coast, Mali and Morocco.

The rest include Niger, Tunisia, Bermuda, Monserrat, St. Lucia, Us Virgin, Maldives, Congo Brazzaville and hosting nation Tanzania.