LAGOS. Nov 10: FIFA President Joao Havelange. who has promised Nigeria the 1997 World Youth Championship finals, won a traditional Chieftaincy title in return. reports Reuter.

State television showed Havelange being decorated in ethnic costume as the title "Ekwueme" - the man who promises and delivers - was conferred do him in eastern Nigeria on Thursday night.

Hundreds of Nigerian dignitaries, including Sports Minister Jim Nwobodo, watched the elaborate ceremony which means from now on the Brazilian can be addressed as 'Chief Havelange."

Havelange. on a four-day visit to Nigeria, apologised on Wednesday over FIFA's last-minute decision to prevent the African country from hosting the World Youth Championship finals in March after being informed there were outbreaks of cholera and meningitis at two of the venues due to state matches. The tournament was held in Qatar in April instead.

He said after talks with military ruler General Sani Abacha in the capital Abuja that Nigeria may be given the 1997 finals due to be held in Malaysia with the Asian country holding them in 1999.

Havelange was to end his visit to Friday after watching Nigeria play Uzbekistan in the second leg of the Afro-Asia Cup. Nigeria won the first leg 3-2 in Tashkent two weeks ago.