Momentum to strengthen Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) links with German football gained some traction following OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas visit with German Ambassador Jorg Zimmermann today.
Tai Nicholas met with Jorg Zimmermann in Wellington to discuss German Government support for developing a closer relationship with the Deutscher Fussball Bund (DFB), the German Olympic Sports Foundation (DOSB) and OFC.
The OFC has already established links with The FA, French Football Federation and Football Federation Australia (FFA) for technical development and assistance and the desire to explore a relationship with the DFB existed in the South Pacific Nicholas said.
Ambassador Zimmermann said undertaking the football challenge in this part of the world might appeal to young and upcoming technical coaches or a coach who desired a challenge far from the stressful environment of Bundesliga and European football.
“I had the experience of witnessing a football tournament in Tuvalu some years ago and the reaction to my presence there was extremely positive. Tuvalu has a population of about 12,000. I am aware that the country is not a full member of the Oceania Football Confederation but the excitement for football was clear, “Zimmermann said.
Mr. Zimmermann told the OFC General Secretary to bring forward a proposal and budget to encourage closer discussion.
“Nations such as Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu are of interest but any projects undertaken in Papua New Guinea would require discussion with my colleague in Canberra to make responsibilities are clear,” Mr. Zimmermann added.
Tai Nicholas said the success of Wynton Rufer in German football with Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern ensured that ties with Germany and German in sport in general would guarantee a solid base for any future discussions about technical assistance from the DFB.