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 The Algerian Football Federation [FAF] tabled a proposal that was intended to restrict candidacy for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football [CAF] to current or former members of the Executive Committee. The proposal obtained the strong majority of votes from the 51 countries represented at the 8^thCAF General Assembly held in Seychelles. Three countries were not represented.

 The Algerian amendment was seconded by six other National Associations: Comoros, Egypt, Guinea, Mauritania, DR Congo, and Sudan; and it received 44 votes in favour, 6 against, and one abstention.

 Over the past weeks, the proposal had generated a lot of controversy without however affecting the deliberations  undertaken by the 8 ^thExtraordinary General Assembly.

The ayes and the nays were given the floor to freely express their opinions. Some argued why they were seconding the motion while others explained the reason behind their rejection of same throughout a rather calm session.

 Another important provision involved increasing the number of Executive Committee members by  one, prior to this amendment the Executive consisted of  13 members; not counting the CAF President. The new seat shall be allocated to the COSAFA, the zonal union from the South which is the most dense region of the continent with 14 members.

 The Extraordinary General Assembly, which had been convened with the intention of approving the new Statutes, as well as the Regulations Governing Application of the Statutes, had approved both almost unanimously.

 The Congress was held under the distinguished presidency of Mr. Issa Hayatou and in the presence of the President of the Republic of Seychelles his Excellency Mr. James Michel, as well as the President of the FIFA Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter.

 In his speech, the President of the Republic of Seychelles stressed on "the virtues of football as an educational tool and that harshness and shapes the soul and the body". Mr. Michel further added: "The game of football is a symbol of discipline, of solidarity and brotherhood that must help our kids become model citizens". He noted that his country is "a country with extremely diversified roots that is free of any racism where the different communities come together in one entity". He concluded his speech by wishing that "football may bring peace to the whole continent".

 President Mr. Blatter stated: "Being in Seychelles proves once more that football is a global sport". He further expressed his satisfaction for being on African land; saying "I feel at home". He recalled that he had been supporting Africa ever since 1976; adding that the message he wished to convey on behalf of the FIFA, whether here or elsewhere, was that of education and health.

 Speaking to the people of Seychelles in particular, President Issa Hayatou confirmed their complete and comprehensive affiliation to the big family of the African football, saying: "you are 5300 times smaller than our largest country: Algeria. You are 11200 times less populated than our most densely populated country: Nigeria; however, you have a strong presence among our 54 member associations. This represents a unique opportunity for me to reaffirm that there are no small or big countries in the CAF. Every member enjoys the same rights and commands the same level of respect."

Mr. Hayatou recalled the main events which took place throughout the past months and spoke about the future. He highlighted the social responsibility activities undertaken by the CAF in cooperation with prominent international organizations such as the African Union, as well as other non-governmental organisations [NGOs] in the fight against the scourges which ravage the African population and especially the youth. Among these scourges, there is the Malaria for which a special campaign shall  be launched on the occasion of the AFCON 2013 in South Africa.

 Mr. Hayatou said: "Football  represents a unique channel of communication . The AFCON competition is followed throughout the whole continent by millions of television viewers. It would have been improper and almost immoral not to be associated to such campaigns. This is one of CAF's main missions" concluded President Hayatou.