MICHEL PLATINI TOO IMPRESSED BY ARMENIANS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS FOOTBALL
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Being a member of the FIFA and UEFA
Executive Committee, occupying a number of repsonsible posts in
programs of those structures, Michel Platini has a great contribution
in the world, including in Armenia, in the affair of development
of football. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated about it
on July 3, receiving Michel Platini, the Deputy President of the
Football Federation of France, a member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive
Committee. He mentioned that Michel Platini greatly contributed to
implementation of all usefull initiatives for the Armenian football. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information and Public
Relations Department, the RA Prime Minister attached importance
to the delegation’s visit especially in this period of time when
Armenia is with great lustre preparing for the Days of Armenia in
France. Touching upon implementation of programs on development of
football and investments, A.Margarian especially mentioned the FIFA
"Goal" program, UEFA "Hat Trick," also the "Small Fields" programs,
implementation of which is being carried out by the Football Federation
of Armenia at a great speed and has arosen considerable enthusiasm and
interest in all marzes and communities of Armenia. Those, according
to A.Margarian, are important as much as they are the first voluminous
works after worsening of the state of sporting infrastructures during
the last years: more than 15 similar fields have already been opened,
and thier number will reach 40. The RA Prime Minister considered
welcoming making of such decisions by the FIFA and UEFA which help the
progress of football just in developing countries as football states
has no such problems any longer. M.Platini mentioned that being in
Armenia for the first time, he is too impressed by the Armenians’
attitude towards football. "Yesterday we saw when opening the small
fields how much energy and love exist in children towards football,
and with what diligence they go in for that sport. It is promising,"
M.Platini said, mentioning in his speech a number of football players
of the Armenian origin as well, having had their contribution in
development of the French football. At the end of the meeting,
at which Jean-Louis Valentin, the Deputy Director General of the
Football Federation of France, and FFA President Ruben Hayrapetian
participated as well, a readiness was bilaterally expressed, within
borders of possibility, to assist development of the Armenian football
from now on as well.