The chairman of the English Football Association Lord Triesman was in Cairo visiting the Egyptian Association and CAF The chairman of the English Association was accompanied by his deputy Sir Dave Richards, chairman of the English Premier League, and Ms Jane Bateman, international relations director, Inas Mazhar covered the proceedings of the visit. It was a short visit to Cairo, only a few hours, before Lord Triesman returned back to England for a scheduled meeting with the prime minister the following day. David Maxim Triesman, now Lord Triesman, is chairman of the Football Association, a British politician, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and a former parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. A fan of Tottenham Hotspur, Lord Triesman became, in January 2008, the first independent chairman of the Football Association . At the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo, Lord Triesman met the chairman of the Egyptian Association Samir Zaher. Board member Ayman Younes, marketing director Amr Wahbi and Sahar El-Hawari, director of women's football, joined the closed meeting. Following the meeting, a press conference was held in which Zaher welcomed his guests and said the English Association was one of the oldest and elitist football associations in the world "and we have always been friends." He added that England is running for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and that Egypt would "definitely be supporting its close friends" and will back the English bid. Lord Triesman told reporters he was happy to be in Cairo and visiting the Egyptian FA and that they do expect a return visit to London from the Egyptian side. "We were keen to visit the Egyptian FA before meeting with the CAF president since Egypt is one of the founders of CAF and the leading football nation in the continent as well," Lord Triesman told Al-Ahram Weekly. "We in London -- officials, media and fans -- are aware of the great achievements of Egyptian football on both levels, the national team and the clubs. Recently, we witnessed Egypt win the Africa Cup of Nations twice in the past four years and Ahli's achievements at the club level, winning three African Champions League titles in four years. "The Egyptian players in England have good experience in the English Premier League and have groups of fans who support them. In general your players, especially in the national team, are recognised within the English media and by fans of African football. "During our visit here we offered the Egyptian FA to contribute towards developing football in the country. We already have a project, together with the British Council in Egypt, called 'The Premier League Skills'. It's an excellent project which has been going for years and we follow it closely. Sir Dave Richards, chairman of the Premier League, follows it personally and comes by at the end of every year and speaks to all the trainees." At the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters, Lord Triesman met with CAF President Issa Hayatou and members of the Executive Committee. During the visit, the details on implementing the agreement both sides had signed in January to develop football in the African continent were discussed. "We have a long-standing relationship with the English FA through Meridian projects a decade ago," said Hayatou. "We discussed the practical modalities of our partnership agreement, signed recently in Lagos at the last General Assembly of CAF and I have no doubt that this agreement would be mutually rewarding," Hayatou said. "I am very pleased and honoured to be here at the CAF headquarters, home of African football," Lord Triesman said. "Without any questions, President Issa Hayatou is a world football leader. Having conversations with him and his Executive Committee members is important to the English FA." Both sides agreed to set up a committee to follow up on the implementation of the agreement. "We have always been concerned about Africa, myself personally," Lord Triesman told the Weekly. "I have been always working with Africa. We know that by increasing our projects within the region, the African continent will benefit from us, through our experience in all fields -- coaching, refereeing, football skills, marketing and competition." The English FA has been involved in development projects in Africa for many years and the signage of this latest agreement confirms the renewal of their commitment towards the development and growth of African football. The co- operation agreement is to run for the next five years. By Inas Mazhar
