Kharja: "still we go to the world"

The last FIFA World Cup TM in which participated Morocco was in 1998, their third finals in 12 years. In that Edition, when the Lions of the Atlas were already in the second round, two goals from Norway to Brazil in the last seven minutes put an end to his dream. Now, there is nothing that crave more than return to the World Cup event in 2014 Brazil. And no player is more determined to achieve this than his captain, Houssine Kharja, who is performing at a high level in their third qualifying campaign with the Maghreb box.

After two days of preliminary competition, Morocco adds two draws, and obviously Kharja, of 29 years and author of a goal in every one of these matches, is working to the maximum so that your computer can aspire to the top of the group. "My career as a footballer in Europe is still acceptable", says the player, born in France, and which was formed in the PSG, before you make the jump to Italy, where it currently competes with the Fiorentina. "But on the personal level, I feel a great frustration with the selection, because I've never had the opportunity to play in the world and win the African Cup of Nations". I have many ambitions with my country. "What most Miss is having failed never nothing great with Morocco."

Two crucial goals
After the disappointment of 1998, Moroccans came to touch the two final stages following qualification. In Korea/Japan 2002 preliminary competition, goal difference placed them behind Senegal, revelation of the tournament, and Germany 2006 Road left to escape on the last day the advantage they had over Tunisia, when a victory would have given them the pass. In 2010, they have experienced a slump and were the last of their group matches, with a meager record of three draws in six games. Now there is fear that this campaign follow a pattern similar to that: the team is the third group c after draw with the Gambia at home and before Ivory Coast at home. Not been by the Kharja goals, you would find in a more complicated position if possible.

In Bakau, the midfielder signed both the tie of their own in the 76th minute. Then, in Marrakech, elephants were ahead twice and Kharja equalised from the criminal point shortly before the break. It is not the first time that mark important goals for his country, and he himself considers it an obligation. "I'm the captain and I have to lead by example." I try to upload to the area as much as possible, and bring some positive aggression. We are often missing players in the area, because in our scheme, we use a single striker. Even so, I would prefer not to mark and Morocco won all parties! "."

Kharja points out that, in those two matches of classification, several individual decisions paid very expensive. "We need to reinforce the defense." "We were forced to go". However, he sees positives in both crashes. "You must stay with the team spirit that we exhibit." We could lose the two, but we strive and start a tie. "This demonstrates that the selection is not never filed and the players fighting to the last breath".

No margin of error
Kharja is convinced that the Lions of the Atlas can still be classified. "We still have options." "The next match [in Tanzania] will be in March 2013, leaving us time enough to retrieve several injured who could not play against Ivory Coast". However, supports eliminating the Ivorian is a challenge for anyone. "It is the number one African team, we are aware of their strength." It can be that the names of its stars them impressed our younger players before the match, but when start the ball rolling will be eleven against eleven. The tie we against them keeps us alive, but now we do not have any wildcard. "It depends on us the points that are in play and hope that we can go to Abidjan and there seal ticket to Brazil".

The captain explains that the team is deploying a good football under the orders of Eric Gerets, who took charge of the national team in 2010 and has remained in place despite the elimination in the first round of the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. "I think he has done a good job." You have to be patient. In Morocco, each time that we lose one or two games, people are asking a coaching change. In football you need stability. I've always been against the changes, they provide nothing. "I'm in favor of keeping the coach, because he is doing a good job and we can still go to the world."

2014 World Cup presents its sustainability strategy in Rio + 20

FIFA and the Local Organizing Committee (COL) joined on Tuesday, June 19 the Brazilian Government at the United Nations Conference on sustainable development (Rio + 20) to present its sustainability strategy for the World Cup 2014 ™ FIFA.

The world can influence significantly in the society and the environment thanks to its extraordinary projection around the world. The strategy of FIFA and the loc is not only to mitigate the damage, but also to maximize the benefits of the world. The next two years, will cover key themes such as ecological stages, waste management, social cooperation, the reduction and compensation of polluting emissions, renewable energy and capacity for development. FIFA will invest approximately USD 20 million to start-up operations. Commercial members of FIFA and the other parties involved will also contribute to efforts to achieve sustainability.

The plan is based on the experience gained since 2005 with environmental and social programmes of the tournaments of FIFA, international standards such as ISO 26000 and the initiative world of reporting (GRI, by its acronym in English), as well as in development policies of the Brazilian Government. The world of Brazil will be the first that has a holistic sustainable approach. You may read the full document in by clicking on the corresponding link in the right column.

"The goal is, in short, organize a tournament that uses resources to achieve a balance between economic, social and environmental aspects." We have joined Rio + 20, because we want to be part of efforts to give future generations the same opportunities to meet their legitimate needs. We also aim to remember the world 2014, not only for being a fantastic football tournament, but also for his great social and environmental legacy. To do this, we need to involve all stakeholders, from fans to the builders. All form the initial eleven of this equipment by sustainability - explained Federico Addiechi, head of Corporate Social responsibility of FIFA-. "And how to host and lead world in sustainable development, Brazil has been a key player in the development of this strategy."

Sustainable lifestyle
"Football is without a doubt the greatest passion of Brazilians and, for this reason, the world can be an incomparable revulsive to change attitudes in favour of a more sustainable lifestyle." If we start with small actions at home, we will be able to plant the seed of change. From large construction projects of sustainable stadiums until the dreams of disadvantaged children who want to see their idols in the field... this world already is changing Brazil. "And depends on all of us extend their legacy," said Bebeto, Member of the Board of Directors of the cabbage.

"Brazil already has today a global role in the area of the environment, precisely because it has achieved in recent years, combining economic growth with social inclusion and commitment to the environment." We are a country of great diversity, with an energy matrix supported by renewable energies, a consolidated legislation and important advances, such as the significant reduction of the deforestation of the Amazon. In this context, the Brazilian Government decided to incorporate sustainability into the Organization of the FIFA World Cup. In the case of the stadiums, for example, access to BNDES financing credit line is conditioned to a model of sustainable building certification. "For Brazil, the tournament is the opportunity to give visibility to these advances and present to the world, its diversity, not only natural, but also social, cultural, racial, religious and gastronomic", said Luis Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of sports.

FIFA and the loc shall draw up a comprehensive report on sustainability in accordance with the global reporting initiative. On the other hand, the social and environmental chapters were mandatory requirements to compete for organizing the World Cup 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar). Fruit of voluntary initiatives in the world of Brazil, certified as ecological building stadiums will be compulsory in all stages of the world in Russia and Qatar.