The African Union (AU) has declared the year 2007 as the International Year for African football. The event which took place on Monday morning at the official opening ceremony of the AU Assembly in Ethiopia was witnessed by personalities in the World of Football including FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his CAF counterpart Issah Hayatou. Addressing the assembled Heads of States, the South African President, Thabo Mbeki said the decision to set aside the year for Football was significant due to the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Africa’s Football governing body, CAF. He also said it was important for celebration coming at the same period of Ghana’s Independence celebrations and to thank FIFA, especially its President Sepp Blatter, for ensuring that the World Cup finally was hosted in Africa.