PERHAPS the most powerful man in international football, FIFA president Joseph ''Sepp'' Blatter visited Phuket today to open a 40 million baht football centre on Cape Panwa, east of Phuket City.

Phuket's classy football addition, at Ao Nam Bor School, has been named the Tsunami Memorial Football Centre. The money came from FIFA. (Federation Internationale de Football Association.)

With Mr Blatter today at the opening ceremony was the CEO of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising. The message: ''Football for Hope.''

Scores of students turned out to wave FIFA flags. The centre consists of two playing fields, a fitness centre, a conference room and changing rooms with a storage facility. There is also space for a dormitory for visiting footballers.

''We would like the local authorities to bring people to use this facility,'' Mr Blatter said. ''FIFA's aim is to help young players around the world.

''We remember the 2004 tsunami and we hope this helps some of the young footballers of Phuket to achieve greatness on the playing fields of the world.''

Mr Blatter was due to fly to Bangkok for a meeting with Thailand's Prime Minister tonight.


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