“My goal is to see Asia and its teams take their rightful place in the pantheon of world football. India — with its big population, powerful economy, and rich history of football — has a big role to play in the realisation of this dream,” says Mohammed bin Hammam in this email interview to Ayon Sengupta.

Undisputed king of Asian football since his elevation to the post of AFC President in 2002, Mohammed bin Hammam also doubles up as the chairman of FIFA’s enterprising Goal project. With a mission to spread the game in his continent, the Qatari has set his heart on making Asia dominate the global sport. Seen as a plausible rival to current FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter in the coming years, Bin Hammam, for now, keeps away from the arc-lights and talks about the World Cup in South Africa and his lofty plans for the development of the sport in the Asian continent.

Question: World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Experts dread this, for many say it’s not a safe place to stage an event of this magnitude and significance. What’s your take?

Answer: I completely disagree with such pessimistic and cynical views floated by these so-called experts. South Africa has promised a safe World Cup. They are making tremendous efforts to ensure that this World Cup is remembered for all the right reasons. And I am confident that this World Cup will be a resounding success.