Paraguay celebrated its centenary in style as it joined the select band of Member Associations to pass this incredible landmark. Therefore, it was fitting that the FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, joined the festivities on such an important date in the country's footballing history. This was not just an invitation to a party, but an invitation to journey through time and experience the development of Paraguay, a nation in love with football.

The FIFA President was in competent hands as Oscar Harrison, the president of the Paraguayan Football Association, hosted the celebrations. President Blatter was also in good company as he was joined by Paraguay's constitutional president Nicanor Duarte, honorary FIFA President Joao Havelange, FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona, Ricardo Texeira and a host of CONMEBOL members at the official dinner.

The gala turned out to be a well-planned event commemorating the founders of Paraguayan football, the champions from both the 1953 and 1979 South American championships and also the silver medal winning team from the 2004 Athens Olympics.  Players from all three teams were called to the podium to receive recognition of their sporting achievements.

The FIFA President's tight schedule allowed for only a 24 hour stay in Paraguay, but he did find the time to visit the Paraguayan football museum, where he relived some of the country's greatest football moments.  However, the future is just as important as the past and the President's visit to La Libertad's newly opened youth-training complex was in recognition of the way the country hopes to move forward in the coming years.

The silver medal success was celebrated further when Mr. Blatter visited members of Paraguay's Olympic Committee. The FIFA President and the president of Paraguay's Olympic committee Ramon Zubizarreta exchanged views and comments regarding football and sports in general.

The final morning of Mr. Blatter's visit was spent at Paraguay's FIFA GOAL projects I and II, which are building blocks of the country's footballing future. GOAL I has been in use since the beginning of the South American FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in 2003 and the GOAL project II will act as the base and training ground for Paraguay's youth teams.