On the occasion of FIFA's centennial year, Mohamed El-Sayed traces the celebrations in Egypt and around the world It began on 21 May 1904 in Paris -- the day the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was born. And on 21 May this year, the world will unite to celebrate FIFA's 100th year. On 20 May 2004, FIFA will return to its birthplace in Paris to honour the city that witnessed the inception of the world's football governing body. Two world-class gala matches will be staged at the Stade de France, marking one of the highlights of the centennial celebrations. First, the world's top women footballers will have the chance to parade their skills -- including an all-star Egyptian -- then reigning European champions France will play against current world champions Brazil. These celebrations will involve the entire international football family. With its 204 member associations. FIFA is the biggest, and with over 250 million active players, certainly the most popular sports federation in the world. A strong campaigner for children's rights, FIFA will certainly not be forgetting those who are less fortunate in life during its centennial celebrations. With that in mind, it will launch the "Kick- off for Charity" campaign across the globe in cooperation with its 204 member countries and various charitable organisations. At the heart of this event funds will be raised for charity causes. Key figures, memorable places, pro- active organisations and crucial developments in the history of football and FIFA have been pinpointed for recognition as part of the celebration. Each week, one of the clips produced for the FIFA will be broadcast worldwide. Four 30-minute special television programmes will also be produced and broadcast around the world. To mark its centennial, FIFA will also be organising a programme of events on its home soil, Zurich. From May 2004 onwards, a FIFA tram will run across the city of Zurich, with special video shows and a host of other surprises inside for every football fan. The whole world is celebrating the FIFA centenary, and Egypt is no exception. Egypt joined the FIFA in 1923, a quarter of a century before any other African or Arab country. Well aware of its pioneering role in African and Arab football, Egypt revealed a six-month programme of activities celebrating FIFA's 100th birthday. The first major activity was launched on 7 April and involved a three-week campaign to collect 20 million messages of support for FIFA and Egypt's 2010 bid -- part in celebration of the FIFA Centennial and part promotional of the Egyptian 2010 bid. Last month, a press conference was held to launch the campaign for the building of the "Fourth Pyramid". The Pyramid campaign toured all the Egyptian governorates to collect voting cards from schools, universities, clubs and youth centres. Last Friday, the building of the Pyramid began at the foot of its sister Pyramids. The event began earlier with two marathons starting from Al-Rimaya Square in Giza and Mubarak Bridge in Ismailia, a symbol of Egypt's most important modern achievements as well as a bridge linking Asia and Africa. This reflects the "Uniting People" theme of the Egyptian bid. As the two marathons merged at the Pyramids area, a historical ceremony commenced, with 300 volunteers building the Pyramid with the 20 million supporter's voting cards. There was also a show by old and current Egyptian football stars, followed by the appearance of renowned singer Mohamed Mounir, whose famous hit Madad ya Rasoul Allah was chosen by CNN as the best Arabic song advocating peace and justice for all mankind. Mounir popped out of the top of the fourth Pyramid and lulled the thousands of fans with his hits. As he ended his show, Mounir asked the 120,000 audience whether they wanted Egypt to host the 2010 World Cup or not. A thunderous "yes" was the response, sending a message to the globe confirming that the land of civilisation is ready to organise the best World Cup in history. The fourth Pyramid -- which stands 50 feet high -- will be flown to Switzerland to stand before the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. In yet another wonderful honour for the FIFA, the Egyptian National Postal Authority, the oldest post authority in Africa and the Arab world, is due to release a stamp to commemorate FIFA's centennial -- issuing an electronic one as well. The stamp serves as a tribute to football, a game that has been bringing billions of people together, around the world, for decades. The Egyptian Ministry of Youth will also publish a book on Egypt and FIFA, in addition to organising a number of lectures and discussions on the pioneering role football played, and still plays, in the Egyptian people's life. In recognition of the FIFA's illuminating role and its work for the good of humanity, many Egyptian schools will commemorate the world football's body centennial. Lycee Al-Horeyya School in Maadi announced that 21 May would be a sports day, which will involve students playing football all day long. And on the thousands of streets that home Egypt's 70 million football fans, it is expected that a national party will ensue.
