"If your tenure ends after six months why don't you build a football academy so people will know ...", remarked Blatter humorously after State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman, sitting beside him during a crowded press conference, informed the FIFA supremo that he would be quitting before the next general elections.

Blatter, who arrived in the city to inaugurate the AFC Challenge Cup and hand over funds for tsunami victims, also appealed all to embrace 'the beautiful game' not just as a sport but also as a means of education and life.

The FIFA boss was really moved by the way he was welcomed in a country he has never visited before.

"In all my travels I have never yet been received in a carpet of flowers like today," said a smiling Blatter who disclosed that many a time he had flown over Bangladesh.

"I asked my pilot to let me drop into Bangladesh by parachute many times but he was not so willing," joked the head of FIFA.

During a lively encounter with the reporters at the BFF Bhaban he also spoke about everything from financing the development of football in the region to predicting the World Champions.

A visibly glowing Blatter was dazzling in the press conference as he spoke with élan improvising with witticisms.

Blatter immediately endeared himself to the journalist by pronouncing himself one of them, as he is still a member of AIPS.

"Some time ago I was in that seat asking questions to some important person," said the football supremo.

He soon moved on to more serious matters declaring FIFA's financial intentions for the next four-year term, details of which would be available after a financial press conference in Zurich next week. He however said that due to the next World Cup being held in South Africa "more money would be available" for the developing countries in the region of South Asia. "It is now up to the associations to move and show their initiative," said Blatter.

When queried about how FIFA expected football to win the popularity battle in Bangladesh and the sub-continent, Blatter replied: "cricket cannot emulate the joy of football."

But as far as countering the popularity of the game is concerned it was something the local federations have to deal with.

"FIFA will ofcourse provide their utmost support for this cause," he said.

Blatter was also encouraged at the investment in football at school level because according to him "football is a school of life" and it would help encourage the youngsters to take up the sport in the future.

He ended the session with the hope that Asian teams would put up a good showing at this World Cup. But he admitted that it would be harder this time as European teams will have more time to relax and recuperate.

"Don't expect any team to fly easily through to the finals."

And when asked to predict the would be World Champions, he sportingly replied, " I don't know in which language to answer that, probably the winner of the final will be in five letters. I do know that winner of the final will be the World Champions!"

Blatter handed over a cheque for US $250,000 to the BFF as part of FIFA's $10.6 million Tsunami Solidarity Fund.

Also present at the briefing was AFC chief Mohammed Bin Hammam, who thanked Blatter for making this visit to Asia and called him "The first development officer of football" and a "Fan of Asia."