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Bernard Perera reporting from Dhaka....

DHAKA, Monday - The Football House of Bangladesh which is a donation of FIFA's Goal Project, also the third in the Asian Region, commenced its work with the laying of the foundation here today.

Manilal Fernando, the Chairman of the Goal Project Committee for Asia and Vice President of Asian Football Confederation was present with the chief guest, Minister of Finance and Planning M. Saifur Rahman and Sports Minister of Bangladesh Fazral Rahman, Dato Peter Velappan, Secretary-General AFC and delegate from Japan Junje Ogura and many leading AFC officials were present.

Saifur speaking thanked Manilal Fernando of Sri Lanka for his personal interest in getting this project moving so fast. Bangladesh faced many problems in acquiring the land for the purpose with the government. This was sorted out with the intervention of Fernando. This is something the people of Bangladesh must not forget. The whole of Bangladesh is grateful to this gentleman said the Minister.

He requested people of his country to make good use of this by bringing in good results (Manilal Fernando who spoke on the occasion reminded the people of Bangladesh that they must co-operate with the ongoing project as this is a vital necessity to achieve results from a project of this nature.

"A building to house an association is not meant only for them but this belongs to all Bangladeshis", said Fernando.

He also commended the Sports Minister for obtaining the land within a period of 24 hours.

"Though I earmarked this land for the purpose, lot of problems that arose delayed the commencement of work. On my arrival I met the Minister and he made all arrangements to have all documentations ready and he did so. I will name him as the fastest Sports Minister ever," said Fernando.

He requested all support from the government and all others to make this a successful one.

Secretary General AFC Peter Velappan told the gathering that Bangladesh Football has got the best opportunity today to prove that the country is capable of holding any kind of big event and by winning the final, they have gone a further step in football.Junje Ogura, Japanese representative noted Asia proved this region can organise world events. Korea and Japan that hosted the last World Cup with success why not Bangladesh, India or Sri Lanka.

To achieve this we all have to rally round as Asians. In concluding he requested local authorities to invite all present here for grand opening expected in December this year".

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