Warner and President Obama talk football at White House

(U.S. President Barack Obama and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner in the Oval Office Monday)

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner had a meeting at the White House Monday afternoon with U.S. President Barack Obama. Warner was there in his capacity as Vice President of FIFA and and President of CONCACAF, the regional football body.

The FIFA delegation included Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA and FIFA’s General Secretary Jerome Valcke. Their discussions with Obama focused on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

In April, Obama wrote to FIFA expressing interest in the U.S. hosting the World Cup tournaments in either 2018 or 2022. The 2010 FIFA tournament in being held in South Africa.

Warner described the meeting as “very fruitful". In a media release he said, "We discussed the possibility of the U.S. hosting the 2018/2022 World Cup as well as the President’s availability to attend the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

At last month’s G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, Obama said it was his “goal” to travel to South Africa next June to attend the World Cup.

Warner, who continues to battle for the growth and development of the sport in all countries especially the poorer nations, also proposed the possibility of setting up a special fund.

“It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run, impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle, and it is impossible to know the true winner unless there is fair play," Warner said.

He added, "It is no secret that the richer countries can afford better training facilities, better coaches and sometimes better opportunities for their players. I am sure if the playing field were leveled things would be different."

He said he discussed with Obama the possibility of setting up a global fund where football can be used as a tool for education and development. Warner and Obama also discussed the development of women’s football.

"The future of football is feminine, we must invest in our women. They are pillars which hold any society up. If we are to progress we must invest in our women,” Warner noted.

President Obama’s both daughters play football and Warner said that subject formed a lighter side of Monday’s meeting.

Warner's next FIFA assignment begins Friday when he leaves for Nigeria to meet with President Umaru Yar'Adua for discussions on the FIFA under 17 World Cup. Warner heads the FIFA Youth Committee and is overseeing tournament, which Nigeria is hosting.

The Chaguanas West MP returns home Tuesday morning to attend a function in his constituency. The next day he heads to the Rienzi complex for a meeting at which he will deal with disciplinary charges levelled against him by his party.

That same evening Warner will be the main speaker at a public meeting at El Dorado community centre. The meeting would be broadcast locally and internationally on the Internet on Power102.fm and Sangeet106.1fm.
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