As FIFA "struggles with internal reforms to clear up a corruption scandal, some within the sport worry that the world governing body could be distracted from its commitment to international development programs," according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Especially in Africa, football associations that lacked proper offices or quality fields for training and games "have seen FIFA projects bring significant improvements." While FIFA’s Goal Program, which has focused on building federation headquarters and technical centers, "has drawn most attention, the organization has also pumped cash into developing countries through its Challenger Program, which offers help for grassroots facilities, and Financial Assistance Program." The "Win-Win" program "looks to improve revenue-generating activities in countries where the commercial development of the game has not progressed, while the Solidarity Fund helps victims of natural disasters." FIFA’s budget for '16 projects $220M "in various investments." In the wake of the corruption scandal "the talk in the upcoming FIFA presidential election in February is likely to focus on structural reform." But the agenda "is somewhat different in the developing world." Caribbean Football Union President Gordon Derrick said, "These programs are critical for us. Let’s be honest, without the FIFA development projects and the Financial Assistance Program, the small island territories in the Caribbean would be struggling" (REUTERS, 10/21).
