First major project since 2015 corruption scandal
Cayman football chiefs are planning a new floodlit mini-stadium, with three pitches and dormitories for visiting teams – the first major project since FIFA unfroze grant funding to the jurisdiction.
Cayman had been on a black list with the world governing body from 2015 over a corruption scandal involving its former president Jeffrey Webb and secretary Canover Watson.
But funding has now been restored – and back-dated – paving the way for a $7 million expansion of the CIFA Centre of Excellence in Prospect.
The Cayman Islands Football Association submitted a planning application last week for two full-size football fields, with seating for up to 500 people and LED floodlights. The existing field will be transformed into a mini-stadium with capacity for around 1,200-1,500 spectators, according to CIFA president Alfredo Whittaker.
“We expect to have one of the best football facilities in the region for the welfare and development of football,” he said.
FIFA is funding the project through its ‘FIFA Forward Programme’, which offers grant support for infrastructure and player development.
Whittaker said the world governing body would manage the project and pay local contractors directly for the work. Cayman was cut off from FIFA funding from 2015 after a corruption scandal. But it was restored to good graces in 2019 and has since been cleared to receive grants that it missed out on over those four years.
Now that cash pot has reached the point where work can begin on extensive new facilities.
Whittaker said the new fields and bleachers were the first part of a multi-phase plan to upgrade the site. Dormitories that can provide on-site accommodation for visiting teams and a centre for at-risk youth are part of the longer term plan.
“It is no secret in Cayman that we have some players that have some little issues and some that have a few bigger issues,” he said, adding that counselling programmes and residential options for young players going through difficulties would be part of the plan.
Two new floodlit fields will also enable the domestic leagues to operate more efficiently. Fixture schedules have been impacted in the past by faulty lights and scheduling clashes with other sports that use the government facility.
“We don’t have enough fields in the country,” he said, adding that the expanded facilities would enable CIFA to organise matches at more convenient times.
The priority, however, is the national squads. Whittaker added it would improve training facilities as well as help to attract more visiting teams to come to Cayman and play matches, with less expense for accommodation.
The Dart group meanwhile has a separate application before the Central Planning Authority for new sports facilities in George Town.
The Harquail Sports Facility, to be located next to the National Gallery, will be an extension of Cayman International School facilities and provide options for community teams and leagues across multiple sports, including football, Dart has said.
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