Oceania chief Chung to push for reform after re-election

"The next four years will be an exciting period for the OFC and I am sincerely thankful to the Member Associations of OFC for putting your trust in me," he said during his acceptance speech at the OFC Congress in Papua New Guinea.





The Malaysian born 53-year-old was first elected president of the 11-member association in 2011 after former head Reynald Temarii of Tahiti was kicked out after claims he offered to sell World Cup bid votes to undercover reporters.

The Papua New Guinea Football president acknowledged the support of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who faces a more competitive election for his role in May against Jordanian royal Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne, and said he would lobby the Swiss for more rights.

Oceania currently have a half slot at the 32 team World Cup, with their best side going into a two-leg intercontinental playoff against another confederation for a place at the finals.

Chung said he wanted a direct entry for the best side in OFC qualifying, which was New Zealand last time out but the All Whites were thrashed 9-3 by Mexico in the playoff.

Chung, one of seven FIFA vice presidents, said he also wanted another position created for an OFC member to join him in FIFA's all powerful executive committee.

He called upon his OFC members to help the aspirations come off as well as improve the professionalism of football in the weakest of FIFA's six confederations.

"We need to be united, transparent and make collective decisions for the good of OFC," he said.

"You must know that OFC is not an independent organisation, it belongs to you the members and our vision for the next four years is for the benefit of the members and you our stakeholders; your clubs, players, coaches, referees and administrators.

"I will need your support to lead our confederation and enable us to grow the game, create pathways for our elite and generate income to make us financially sustainable and create wealth to distribute to our member associations and reinvest back in football in each country."





(Writing by Patrick Johnston; Editing by John O'Brien)


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Source: Reuters



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