2014 has been another successful year for the OFC and I am delighted to say that we have exceeded all expectations as we build toward the completion of the new Home of Football at Ngahue in East Auckland.
We saw many highlights on the field of play with Fiji qualifying for their first ever FIFA world event, the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in New Zealand, and enjoyed the Junior Football Ferns qualification for the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The staging of the inaugural OFC President’s Cup at The Trusts Arena saw many of our key objectives reached and included a wonderful Just Play sports day at the tournament venue in association with our partners UNICEF.
The involvement, commitment and dedication of the competing teams on this day, and on the school visitation programme was heartening, and my gratitude goes out to Amicale, Auckland City FC – the first winners of this competition, Bodden Town of the Cayman Islands, Busaiteen of Bahrain, Fiji U-20 and Singapore U-23. Each were a shining ambassadors for their teams, Member Associations and Confederations, and with that go my thanks.
My personal gratitude must also be expressed to AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb whose support and belief in this project were key in its success.
I must also thank our many sponsors and community partners who believed in the OFC President’s Cup such as Vuksich & Borich, Sudima Hotels, Kiwi Water, Omni Insurance and UNICEF Pacific.
Within our own ranks, I wish to acknowledge our hardworking staff in all departments who continue to deliver to our chief stakeholders, our Member Associations, their expertise and commitment to growing the game.
Our technical department ran over 70 courses across Oceania in 2014 in Beach Soccer, Futsal, Grassroots, women’s football and refereeing, to name but a few. The FIFA Development Office continued its good work in ensuring our infrastructure grows.
In the spirit of the coming holiday season and looking forward to an exciting year of events ahead of us, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect and extend gratitude to the football family for its continued support. On behalf of OFC, the Executive Committee and our Member Associations, I wish you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year.
Yours in football,
David Chung
OFC President
FIFA Vice-President
PNGFA President