By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
FIFA gave a special award to the Palestine Football Association Monday for bringing international football to the West Bank.
Football's world governing body gave its first annual Development Award to the PFA for opening the Al-Husseini stadium on the West Bank.
The 6,000-capacity arena in Ramallah staged its first international match, a 1-1 draw between Palestine and Jordan, on Oct. 26 after being renovated with FIFA's support.
The Palestinian national team has been affiliated with FIFA since 1998 but had previously played home matches abroad in countries like Jordan and Qatar.
The award was presented by FIFA president Sepp Blatter to a PFA delegation during the annual World Player Gala at the Zurich Opera House.