WHILE the African Football Confederation (CAF) celebrates 50 years since its founding, its Secretary-General celebrates 25 years in office. On the occasion Fahmi spoke to CAF on-line about the background of the institution and other matters affecting African football. "Coincidentally, the 50th anniversary of CAF marks my 25th year in office as secretary general. So I can tell you more about the last 25 years than the first 25. 'The first 25 years were very difficult for CAF. Most of Africa had just turned independent and for the founding fathers of CAF, it was very difficult for them to get a place in FIFA's executive, which was part of the initial plan. In short, there was a long struggle by those who preceded us with a task which we are now continuing with," Fahmi said. Fahmi, 53, said CAF had met the challenges of organising the gala match between Egypt and Sweden as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. "It was followed by a very successful congress in Khartoum, presenting a historical documentary, the anniversary book which was put together in a short time, and the final of the Super Cup in Addis Ababa. All these events have contributed to making 2007 the year of African football." The celebrations will continue in September with the annual CAF meeting which is scheduled for South Africa and a gala night taking place in the country of the 2010 World Cup. Fahmi said he believed that all what has been achieved could not have been accomplished "without the diligent co-operation of the national associations who in the past suffered from the interference of politicians. But after FIFA emphasised the need for autonomy, I think the problems have been resolved. The national associations have been vital to all the successes achieved by CAF. "The 2010 World Cup which will take place in South Africa will see 53 African countries taking part in qualifiers similar to the one for the 2006 Nations Cup and World Cup." Fahmi said his job had become easier for him now than when he started 25 years ago. "Previously it was seven days non-stop work. There are now more tournaments but the secretariat has developed personnel to handle the job at least five days a week. If there is a highly charged period of competition we are compelled to work seven days like in March when we had the under-17 Nations Cup, the second round of the club competitions, the qualifiers for the All-African Games and the 2008 Nations Cup. "Organising competitions in Africa is not easy because of the difficult conditions of transportation, especially unreliable air travel in some cases. One should always be prepared for the late arrival of the referee and the match commissioner. All that coupled with political instability which were frequent in the past, leaves us with little choice but to postpone such games." He said the CAF was delighted when all the African heads of state were unanimous in declaring 2007 the year of African football. "I would like to thank the political powers in Africa for giving the continent's football such priority. Yes, we may have had problems in the past concerning political interference in the affairs of football, which could have an adverse effect on the game. Nevertheless, without the contribution of governments, CAF would not succeed in organising all its competitions no matter the sources of financial assistance to national associations, whether from CAF or FIFA. That's the truth." On the exodus of African footballers, Fahmi said it was difficult to impose a strict policy. "This is a social issue. A player's parents for example would love to see their child succeed by pursuing greener pastures which could change the entire living standard and guarantee a brighter future for the entire family. "Of course I share the idea of the FIFA president who envisions by 2010 a reduction in the number of African players in third and fourth division clubs in Europe, some of whom live in deplorable conditions. We also share with FIFA the motto: 'Win in Africa with Africa'. The league championships should be developed and organisers of the leagues trained so that they be endowed with means to be financially sound so that the fringes of its best local players do not join the exodus bandwagon into lowly placed European club sides." Still, Fahmi says, CAF would not be able to stop the best players from moving. "In fact I think when the stars move it could also be a good thing for African football. Players like Drogba and Eto'o are ambassadors not just in football but for Africa as a whole." Fahmi said he would like to witness the most successful World Cup ever when it is held in Africa. "It may be a competition staged in Africa by South Africa but it is a FIFA competition. We want it to be a successful competition as was the case in Germany in 2006 and four years earlier in Korea-Japan. Its success will inspire other African countries to prepare and bid to host future World Cups. And a final wish: that an African team be able to reach at least the last four in this competition which will take place for the first time in Africa." Fahmi obtained a BA in chemistry from Cairo University but instead of leading a career by earning petro-dollars from the oil industry, he decided to dedicate his life to football. From 1974 to 1977 he was Egypt's correspondent for the French magazine France Football. He was head of the sport desk of the Egyptian French daily newspaper Le Progres Egyptien. His journey to CAF began in 1978 when he was named press officer from 1978 to 1981. At the CAF Congress in Tripoli, ahead of the 1982 African Cup of Nations, and with the recommendation of President Ydnkatchew Tessema, Fahmi succeeded his father, who died the same year, as secretary-general of CAF. Fahmi has contributed immensely in many FIFA activities. Since 1988 he served in many FIFA standing committees like the organising committee of the Youth World Cup. He has taken part in the organisation of World Cups since 1986 in Mexico. In 1996, he was designated to occupy the newly created position of the FIFA executive committee between.
