Today (30 October 2008) in Cotonou/Benin, FIFA and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB) launched, as part of their strategic alliance, a joint Broadcast Academy to enhance the quality of football coverage and to assist in the better commercialisation of sports rights in Africa. A similar project will be rolled out in a few weeks for written press and photographers. All of these projects are the result of FIFA's Win in Africa with Africa initiative, which aims to use its flagship competition to leave a lasting legacy on the whole African continent, both in the build-up to and in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

No other medium has boosted the worldwide development of football more than television. It plays a vital role in spreading the message, creating anticipation, as well as ensuring interest among sponsors. Therefore, FIFA and the AUB will jointly conduct workshops for up to 3,000 radio and TV professionals in up to 41 countries to pass on best practices in the field of football broadcasting and build capacity in areas such as TV journalism, commentary, commercial planning and match TV production. The "FIFA Legacy Week" seminars will start in January 2009.

"Thanks to this strategic alliance with the AUB, we can truly make a difference and achieve a balance in world football by working together to develop successful professional football structures in Africa, which is one of our core visions and missions reaching far beyond 2010," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

"This project is a ground-breaking step for the AUB and the African continent not only towards achieving high-quality football coverage but also in helping us to unite our structures. It will enable us to take on our own Africa-wide projects for the benefit both of our members and all African football fans" said Larry Atiase, AUB CEO.