Barbados is poised to receive two new mini-pitches courtesy of world football’s governing body FIFA, following high-level talks between Minister of Sport Charles Griffith, Barbados Football Association (BFA) officials, and FIFA’s Caribbean representative Cadijah Mars.
The meeting, held last Friday at the Ministry’s Sky Mall offices, lasted nearly two and a half hours and resulted in a firm commitment to install two 20x40m artificial turf pitches—built to FIFA’s international standards—at the Milton Lynch School in Christ Church and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital playing field in St Michael.
Mars confirmed the offer falls under FIFA’s global Arena Project, which targets underserved regions like the Caribbean and Africa by providing durable pitches designed for grassroots footballers aged four to 15.
Each turf is expected to last at least a decade.
The government is responsible for site selection, fencing, sub-base preparation, and customs clearance, while FIFA will handle production, shipping, installation, and initial upkeep.
A project management group will be established once the groundwork is secured, with a protocol agreement between the BFA and FIFA to follow.
Minister Griffith embraced the initiative.
“These small pitches are ideal for engaging youth and steering them away from crime. The locations chosen hit the mark.”
BFA President Randy Harris revealed that Barbados could see up to five pitches eventually, noting this initial offer is only the beginning.
He also proposed the creation of a national Football Development Academy and a new Barbados Technical Department to standardise coaching islandwide.
The government, meanwhile, is working on expanding the pool of full-sized football fields, with sites at Sweet Bottom, the YMCA, Checker Hall, Belleplaine, and the Barbados Lumber Company Ground under consideration.
Both parties also agreed to facilitate the donation of hundreds of footballs to support the ministry’s development programmes.
Minister Griffith was joined by Permanent Secretary Joy Adamson, NSC Director Neil Murrell, deputy director Emerson Bascombe, and others. The BFA’s delegation included Mars, Technical Director Suleiman Nunes, and Head Coach Kent Hall.
If all goes according to plan, installation of the first two mini-pitches will begin in October, with completion before Christmas.
(RW)
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