By:Curtis Morton
FIFA Development Officer for the region, Mr. Howard Mc Intosh, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Minister of Youth and Sports in the Nevis Island Administration.
In the first meeting, Mr. McIntosh spoke briefly with Minister Brandy-Williams and Asst. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Miss D. Michelle Liburd.
They spoke about the development of Football on the island.
Later, Mr. McIntosh met with a wide cross section of the Football fraternity of the island which included, Rohan Isles- Football chief on the island; Verna Grant-Secretary of the Football Association; Raymond Smith-Executive member of the SKNFA; Masefield Nisbett-Fitness Trainer; Zahnela Claxton- Youth Director; Kimbel Ward-FIFA Referee.
The group met to discuss the development of Football and plans going forward.
Hon Brandy-Williams encouraged frank and open discussions which would involve programs an infrastructural development, which FIFA may be able to assist with through the Football Association.
She also pledged her Government’s continued commitment to the development of the game on the island and vowed to assist as far as possible with the limited resources at her disposal.
Mr. Mc Intosh noted that it was a pleasure to visit the various islands throughout the region. He stated that he came to have discussions with the Football Association and the Ministry and indicated that his role is to listen and later represent on behalf of the island and ‘see what happens from there.’
‘Football for everyone-everywhere,’ is the stated philosophy of the world Football body.
He said that FIFA’s current focus is on more grass roots; youth Football and women’s Football and resources will be dedicated to these areas.
These will be developed through schools and community projects. Programs will be collaborated through the Ministries of Sports and Education.
He indicated that FIFA wants to focus on PARTNERSHIPS and promised that he will take back the concerns and proposals to the appropriate bodies for action in the future.