These projects include the completion of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) headquarters in Al Ram, as well as the installation of artificial turf pitches in Tulkarem and Ram and a new football academy in Al Birreh.

Palestinian football will also benefit from the reconstruction of the football stadium in Gaza - which was destroyed in a bombing last year- of which work will commence on this summer after approval for the project was granted at a meeting of FIFA's Finance Committee in December last year.

"PFA is starting a new era with the move to our new headquarters." said the organisation's President Jibril Rajoub

"We are confident that with the support from FIFA's Performance Programme we will be able to properly implement our general strategy and train PFA staff accordingly."

FIFA's Performance programme has had a positive impact on football in the country, with 20 educational courses being run under the programme since 2010, it is claimed.

"Our aim is to change the world's impression of the people of Palestine, highlighting our passion for football and sports in general," added PFA technical director Mazen Khatib.

The football stadium in Gaza is set to be rebuilt after being destroyed in a bomb attack last year

FIFA's Director of Member Associations and Development, Thierry Regenass, spoke of the importance of the sport in Palestine.

"It's quite remarkable the extent to which football has become a key tool to promote social development in Palestine." he said

"It's our intention as FIFA to contribute to the implementation of an efficient football infrastructure, while fostering the general PFA structures and enabling Palestinian people to practice their favourite sport."

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