South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale says it is time for an African to run for the position of FIFA president. Sexwale was talking to SABC station Metro FM.
Prior to the interview there was speculation that Sexwale would withdraw from the race, but he has now confirmed his readiness and determination to lead soccer’s world body.
He is one of five candidates running for the presidency position of sport’s biggest organisation.
The other candidates are Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al Khalifa, and Jérôme Champagne.
Since Sexwale’s announcement, concerning his campaign for FIFA presidency, a lot of people have been asking if he is the right person to run for the position.
In response to his critics, he says he has been with FIFA for years. “Fifa says I qualify to run for presidency of the organisation, I have been with FIFA for eleven years. Desmond Tutu, Lucas Radebe, Aaron Mokoena believe I am the right candidate for FIFA presidency.”
He says his involvement with soccer goes a long way back to his days growing up in Soweto. “My father was a football administrator in Soweto. I used to play football growing up.”
The current leadership race has been an unusual one, as Sexwale points out that such campaigning is usually a four-year long exercise.
He states that things are different this time around and candidates are expected to canvas for support within four months.
He says he is focused on leading FIFA but he would be happy with another leader from Africa or Asia. Sexwale says he has been approached by people who have assured him of their support. “I was called by an Arab leader who supports me. But I will not disclose who he is.”
He says he is the right man for the job because he knows what needs to be done to fix FIFA.
“For me it’s not about only the presidency, I've been in many FIFA structures including THE racism committee, now money has started to flow in the campaign, in the FIFA we are trying to clean up, this can't happen. The issues main issues for FIFA are accountability and credibility.”
He says he is focused on leading FIFA but he would be happy with another leader from Africa or Asia.
“I am focused on making sure that the president of FIFA comes from either Africa or Asia, not Europe.”
Sexwale concluded by saying his campaign is bigger than him. “I wish it was Lucas Radebe, Irvin Khoza, George Weah or Danny Jordaan running for this position, but I am doing it for the African child to be able to say Tokyo built this bridge for us to succeed.”
Fifa will announce Sepp Blatter's successor after an election to be held in Zurich, Switzerland, on 26 February 2016.
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