Seychelles president expresses confidence in new FIFA boss' knowledge, experience and talent

The Seychelles President James Michel. (Seychelles News Agency)

(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles President, James Michel, has congratulated Gianni Infantino, the newly elected president of the world’s football governing body, FIFA, wishing him success during his tenure.

The 45-year-old, Swiss-Italian and UEFA general secretary was elected to replace Sepp Blatter, at the extraordinary FIFA Congress held in Zurich on Friday.

He defeated his closest rival for the post, the Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman, from Bahrain, in the second round of voting.

In his congratulatory message sent on Sunday, Michel expressed confidence that Infantino’s knowledge, experience and talent will enable him to implement the ambitious plan and vision he has outlined for FIFA

"We share your vision for a strong, democratic and proactive FIFA,” said President Michel, also the Patron of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF).

“We very much welcome the focus you place on the development of young sporting talents at national, regional and global levels. We know that you have the interests of African football at heart.”

FIFA has assisted Seychelles, a115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean with funding for several projects over the years. This include several FIFA Goal Projects and most recently the building of its first beach soccer stadium.

President Michel has expressed his desire to see more collaboration between the Seychelles Football Federation and FIFA, especially to equip the Seychellois youths with sporting facilities and opportunities, as well as to continue raising the profile of football in Seychelles.

The Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) also joined the over 200 federations worldwide to choose a new president for the world’s football governing body.

The three-member Seychellois delegation that made the trip to Switzerland was led by SFF’s Chairman Elvis Chetty.