By TERRY MADDAFORD
Auckland's Charlie Dempsey says unanimous support from Oceania member countries has assured him of another four years on one of sport's most powerful bodies.
The Oceania Football Confederation has agreed that 79-year-old Dempsey should represent it for a further term on the powerful executive committee of Fifa, the international
soccer federation.
"They think I deserve this as the fruits of my work for Oceania since 1964," said Dempsey.
"As far as the presidency of Oceania is concerned, they say I can stay as long as I like. My four-year term is due to end in 2002."
The endorsement for Dempsey is an on-going ticket to Fifa, one of the world's richest sporting bodies.
Dempsey has confirmed that Oceania support for the 2006 World Cup will go to England, although delegates from all bidding nations will be allowed to speak at an Oceania congress in Samoa next month. Fifa president Sepp Blatter will attend this meeting.
Oceania will give $100,000 over the next two years to each of its 11 member nations towards employing a technical director. It will also give $70,000 to each nation for "services" to Oceania and a $30,000 development/administration grant.
New Zealand Soccer has been given $17,000 to cover a shortfall in its last Olympic campaign.
The winner of the 2001 Oceania club championship will qualify for the next world club championship. The world event will have a minimum $500,000 for each of the eight qualifying teams.
The Oceania qualifying tournament for the club championship will be played in New Zealand, Australia or Tahiti.
The Oceania qualifying tournaments for the 2002 World Cup will be held in New Zealand and Australia in June next year.
