Fifa elections: Candidate in line with Oman FA's vision will be our choice, says Sayyid Khalid

Sports Tuesday 23/February/2016 15:22 PM
By: Times News Service
Fifa elections: Candidate in line with Oman FA's vision will be our choice, says Sayyid Khalid

Muscat: Oman Football Association (OFA) will vote for a candidate, whose electoral programme is most in line with Oman's vision.
This was announced on Tuesday by OFA chairman Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi through a statement from Zurich where he is attending the FIFA Extraordinary Congress.
The new Fifa president will be elected on February 26.
“The OFA delegation’s attendance of the FIFA Congress is a natural step in the framework of OFA’s commitment to fulfill its obligations towards the FIFA, proceeding from our common responsibility along with the rest of the member associations, for making the right decisions in order to safeguard football and ensure its continuous success and development, especially in light of our strong relations and interests with the FIFA and its members,” wrote Sayyid Khalid.
“Next Friday’s FIFA Congress is one of the most important meetings in the last few years, in view of the significant items on its agenda, be it the election of the new FIFA President, or the proposed statutory changes according to the recommendation of the committees charged of studying these reforms following therecent FIFA corruption case,” he added.
“Over the last few weeks, we have been following up the electoral campaigns of the five candidates for FIFA presidency and we will be voting according to our own considerations. We give paramount importance to the adoption by the FIFA of a clear, objective and pragmatic approach during the four coming years, which ensures its unity and cohesion as an association concerned with the development of the game and the protection of member associations’ rights. We will vote for the candidate whose electoral programme is most in line with our vision.”
Adding on the OFA chairman said: “During our stay in Switzerland, we will hold discussions and consultations during meetings with the heads of other FIFA member associations in order to align our thoughts for the elections and the reforms.
"A competitive debate between the five candidates would have been useful, allowing the voters a better understanding of the candidates’ opinions about crucial issues to FIFA, member associations, as well as millions of football fans around the world, relating to the development of football and cohesion of FIFA and its member associations. Given the current ambiguity of some candidates’ proposals, the voters’ choice could be guided more by emotion than by the required objectivity and realistic perspective."
Sayyid Khalid, meanwhile, wished all the candidates luck and for FIFA to remain a strong association that can safeguard the game and member associations, as well as all members of the football family around the world.