The President of the OFC

Reynald Temarii has led a life many dream of, and he’s still only 39 years old. Temarii is credited for the revival in interest of football (soccer) in the Pacific. Since being elected into the regional game’s most powerful position three years ago, Temarii has revamped virtually all of the OFC’s competition and administration structures, implementing a whole new approach to the way the game is developed and played.

His success thus far in shaking up the foundations of a sport, for many years deeply rooted in internal politics and factionalism, has been attributed to his willingness to marry soccer programmes and events with regional government and non-government initiatives aimed at combating common social ills such as illiteracy, the spread of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, and poverty. Temarii’s belief is that football will only thrive and realize its true potential when young people are healthy and educated.

Temarii facilitated an historic signing of an agreement between the OFC and the European Union last November, and plans for more partnerships with organizations outside football are already in the pipeline.

This year also sees a revolutionary new long-term development program, to be rolled out over 12 years, and focused on lifting footballing standards in the region.
The list of accomplishments on the Tahitian’s CV is as impressive as they come.
Currently he sits on the powerful FIFA executive committee as a vice president making him one of world soccer’s most powerful figures. He was re-elected president of the OFC this year, after becoming the first Pacific Islander to ascend to the post in 2004. From 1998-2004, he was Tahiti’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Life, one of the youngest Cabinet ministers in world politics. At that time, he was also the president of the Tahiti Football Federation.

He was also a champion athlete, a top soccer player who played professionally in France for FC Nantes. For 11 years he represented Tahiti and his greatest moment came in 1995 when playing in front of his home fans in Papeete he led Tahiti to the South Pacific Games gold medal.

Intelligent, pragmatic and a visionary, Temarii will continue wield influence on the football fields and boardrooms of the region