Araneta vows FIFA aid to ‘have nots’

MANILA, Philippines -  Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta vowed to champion the cause of developing countries in his capacity as one of the newest members of the International Football Federation (Fifa) Council.

“(I will push for) more technical assistance to developing football countries to improve the level of football,” Araneta told The STAR.

He also stressed the need to designate an expert to follow this through.

“(I’m going) to request Fifa to provide a roving technical director who can cover several countries to achieve this objective,” he said.

Araneta was among officials elected by the Asian Football Confederation to fill up its four additional slots in the Fifa Council. The others were Zhang Jian of China, Chung Mong Gyu of Korea Republic, and Mahfuza Akhter Kiron of Bangladesh.

“It’s an honor for me to represent Asia and the Phl in the Fifa Council,” said Araneta, who will serve in Fifa until 2019.