FIFA elections: Bin Hammam banks on AIFF vote

June 1, 2011 will see the election for the post of the most power man in world football, the FIFA president. Current FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter from Switzerland will be facing competition from Qatari Mohammed bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation.

The 61 year old Mohammed bin Hammam in his capacity as AFC president was in New Delhi last week to update himself on the latest in Indian football as well as speak to the heads of the South Asian Football Federation which represents the eight nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

But Mr. bin Hammam also made a stopover in India to discuss his election campaign to replace Sepp Blatter and try to secure the eight south Asian votes, which all are crucial if he is to become FIFA president as every FIFA member has only one vote. So if Brazil or Bhutan does not make a difference.

"I have always had a good relationship with the All India Football Federation and Praful Patel is like a brother to me," Mr. bin Hammam told the media while in New Delhi as he seemed sure of the Indian vote.

What FIFA president Sepp Blatter thinks about such a bin Hammam statement and what the views of the AIFF are on this issue isn't known, then not only bin Hamman as AFC president but also Sepp Blatter as FIFA president have both shown their interest in Indian football and have been pushing for years for its development. If Sepp Blatter winning would have a negative effect on such development projects would have to be seen.

And Mr. bin Hammam reiterated by saying, "This will be an Asian Project. I'm representing all of you in this continent. I wish that everyone of you pray that Asia will succeed in giving a FIFA president this time. This will be for Asia."