FIFA president begins tour of Africa in Madagascar
CGTN
FILE: FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 69th FIFA Congress at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, France./ Getty Images

FILE: FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 69th FIFA Congress at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, France./ Getty Images

FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Sunday to begin the first leg of his tour of African member associations.

Infantino was welcomed by Confederation of African Football President Ahmad Ahmad and Malagasy Football Association (FMF) President Raul Arizaka Rabekoto.

The FIFA president is accompanied by a delegation that includes FIFA General Secretary and General Delegate for Africa Fatma Samoura, Deputy Secretary General Mattias Grafström and FIFA Foundation CEO Youri Djorkaeff and Special Advisor to CAF President Samuel Eto'o.

"I'm happy to be back in Africa, a place where I feel so at home. We are delighted to be here and to start our African tour in your country. We intend to do great things for African football, restoring the hope of many and bring smiles to the faces of millions of children in Africa," Infantino said.

Infantino was scheduled to meet Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina and hold meetings with officials of the FMF. Infantino was also expected to visit the CAF offices in Mahajunga, where FIFA Member Associations Committee was to be held.

After wrapping up his visit to Madagascar, the football chief is also expected to visit Angola, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique.

In July, FIFA intervened in CAF's administrative processes with Samoura appointed to work with Ahmad and a team of experts to oversee a forensic audit of CAF among other responsibilities.

Source: FIFA