President's pride at host status
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Article summary
Football Association of Finland president Pekka Hämäläinen is looking forward to staging the event.
Article body
Pekka Hämäläinen, president of the Football Association of Finland, welcomes the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final round, which begins on Wednesday.
It is an honour for our association to host the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final tournament in July and August.
Prior experience
This is the first time that a women's final tournament has been played in Finland. We hosted the men's UEFA European Under-18 Championship twice (1982 and 2001), both of which were splendid football events. However, our association's biggest feat so far was hosting last summer's FIFA Under-17 World Championship. Many of the people - staff and volunteers alike - involved in organising last summer's tournament are contributing their knowledge to make this a football festival to be remembered.
Special significance
The women's U19 tournament holds special significance for our association. As FIFA celebrates its centenary and UEFA its Golden Jubilee, the tournament highlights the first four-year period of the FUN project, which is aimed at developing and nurturing women's football in Finland.
FUN project
Last year, the number of licensed players in women's football in Finland increased by 8.5 per cent. With 17,000 individuals, it is by far the country's most popular sport for women. The FUN project has played an important role in turning football into a more equal sport in terms of male and female participation, bringing it closer to young girls and women alike.
Role models
Our efforts to increase further the popularity of the game among women are aided by our hosting of this event. It is a great opportunity for many to see eight top-class European countries competing for the title. This, I am sure, will be a source of motivation for many young girls, giving them role models to look up to. Women's football will be boosted by an increase in new players which, in the long run, will also help our national teams.
Warm welcome
I wish you all a warm welcome to Finland and the best of luck. May the best team win!
