PREFACE

Julio H. Grondona Julio H. Grondona, Chairman of the Committee for FIFA Youth Competitions.
For only the second time in almost two decades of FIFA youth competitions, South America played host to one of these exciting events (the first having been in the World Youth Championship in Chile on 1987). As hosts, Ecuador represented the entire continent, and represented it well.

Having been deprived of the opportunity to organise the same event four years ago because of a cholera outbreak in the south of the country, the Ecuador Football Federation set about its renewed task with dedication and efficiency and ensured that all the arrangements for the 32 matches were worthy of a country with such a strong football tradition.

The Ecuador public was rewarded with matches of the highest quality. Not only the new Champions, Ghana, delighted the crowds with their brilliance, but also such traditionally strong teams as Brazil and Argentina and the newcomers from Oman. The variety of styles and the contrast of footballing cultures once again provided for a fascinating experience for all those fortunate enough to have witnessed these games first-hand.

Apart from the 266,000 spectators in the stadium, there were interested followers watching the games in some 130 countries around the world, and this is itself eloquent proof of the attraction of the joyful, uninhibited football served up by the world's best teenage footballers. Far from being stifled by the pressure of competition or the importance of the moment, the youngsters respond to the challenge by showing their utter enjoyment of the game, in the best possible international sporting spirit.

On behalf of the FIFA Committee for Youth Competitions, I would like to thank the Ecuador Football Federation and its Organising Committee for all their efforts to stage such a splendid championship, and also all those - especially the main sponsor, JVC - who also contributed to the success of Ecuador '95.