BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Football’s world governing body FIFA is set to inject Bds$2M (US$1M) into various programmes of the cash-strapped Barbados Football Association.(BFA)

FIFA development officer Howard McIntosh said here Wednesday that FIFA was impressed with the BFA’s vision and as a result, intended to demonstrate its commitment to the association’s development plan.
However, McIntosh made it clear the money would not be a boost to the BFA’s coffers, but would go directly to the various projects, with the BFA acting in a monitoring capacity.
“The money is not going to go the BFA, so tomorrow the BFA is not two million dollars richer and we have structured it that way for a number of reasons,” McIntosh pointed out.
“One, it ensures that less people are involved in the process; two, we have contracts that are directly with the different persons (involved in the projects) so the BFA has a monitoring role but not a direct contracting and/or financial role.”
One of the programmes to receive funding will be the income generation project at Wildey which is already under way. This involves the building of an administrative block and a spectators’ stand.
There will be a concessionaire area and commercial space aimed at maximising revenue, funds which FIFA consultant Peter Van Gend said could then be put back into local football.
“The buy-in of sponsors and other groups will enhance that income,” said Van Gend, who carried out an assessment of the Wildey project earlier this year.
The project, which it is hoped can be developed into a major complex, has been in the pipeline for some time and the BFA are anxious to get it up and running.
“The facilities at Wildey could see Barbados in a position of being able to host international events on an international pitch which will help greatly in getting our football to the level we believe it should be at,” said BFA president Randy Harris.
Areas like women’s football and the grassroots football development are likely to benefit from FIFA’s funding.