Talgar training centre was built with the support of FIFA Forward funds
Gianni Infantino said it was a fitting tribute to Pelé
FIFA President has suggested that all Member Associations name a stadium or football venue after Pelé
The Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) has named one of the pitches at its Talgar national training centre after Pelé following the suggestion made by Gianni Infantino at the start of the year. President Infantino had suggested that all 211 of FIFA’s Member Associations each name at least one stadium or football venue after the Brazilian legend who passed away on 29 December 2022.
The pitch is one of three at the Talgar training base which have been built with the support of funds from the FIFA Forward development programme.
“Thank you to Kazakhstan Football Federation President Adilet Barmenkulov for supporting the initiative to pay homage to Pelé by naming one of the pitches at its Talgar national training centre, which was built with the support of FIFA Forward funds, after the legendary Brazilian. A very fitting tribute to 'O Rei'.,” said the FIFA President during his visit to Kazakhstan.
Joe Fraga, Manager, Pelé, also expressed his thanks. “We would like to thank the Kazakhstan MA for this fantastic tribute and the continued support of FIFA to maintain the building of Pelé’s legacy,” he said.
Panama, Colombia, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Rwanda have also taken up President Infantino’s call to recognise the game’s first true global icon. In January 2023, FIFA announced that the Home of FIFA football pitch was to be named after Pelé.