First meetings between FIFA, FIFA Beach Soccer, The Bahamas Football Association and the Bahamas Government leave great expectations
Just some months after the amazing FIFA Beach Soccer world Cup 2015, the preparations for the upcoming showpiece, to happen in The Bahamas in 2017, are already well underway.
First meetings between FIFA, FIFA Beach Soccer, and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup The Bahamas 2017 Local Organizing Committee took place during these last days.
Joan Cusco, FIFA Beach Soccer CEO and FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member and Jaime Yarza, FIFA Senior Manager for Beach Soccer and Futsal Competitions, travelled to Nassau to hold the first meetings to kick start the preparations for the ninth edition of the biggest beach soccer event.
The two officials met with Acting Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson and Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson this week who assured that government would provide “the highest level of cooperation” as the country prepares to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.
“We appreciate the fact that The Bahamas has been selected to host the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2017 and we want to assure you that you will receive the highest level of support and cooperation from this Government,” said Davis during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister. “We are 100% behind the program.”
On previous days, The Bahamas Football Association, with president Anton Sealey ahead, started presenting both the LOC organogram and the first directives in terms of teams accommodation, venue installation and possibilities, transportation, etc.
The expectations are high, and the first sensations are very positive, ahead of what will become the first ever senior FIFA event to be held in the Caribbean region.
Joan Cusco highlighted that “it’s a privilege to be here, and we look forward to a great event. The reason why this event is here is because of Anton Sealey. He has always been the most supportive committee member and he has created a certain sympathy with everyone. A lot of the other nations pulled out of the bidding process because of Anton. The Bahamas is growing in football, and is very reliant on tourism”.
“Our sport has a huge association with tourism. We like to go places where we can promote football and tourism. We like to promote entertainment and music as well, and The Bahamas is good in music. Also, we would like to work with kids to increase the popularity of the sport and help it to grow in many ways”, he added.
In turn, Jaime Yarza, FIFA Senior Manager of Futsal and Beach Soccer, said that their intention to make the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup the most successful beach soccer world cup in history, as well as pointed the huge possibilities the relationship between beach soccer and The Bahamas can offer: “Beach soccer is the fastest growing sport in the world, and it’s indeed a pleasure to bring our premier event here,” said Yarza. “This sport carries a special charm and a special attraction for young people. Coming to The Bahamas is a perfect match for this event and this location. We had a fantastic event in Tahiti in 2013, and there are basically the same ingredients here – great weather and beautiful people. We are really willing to make something special happen on the island. We think that The Bahamas will have a wonderful world cup, and we certainly look forward to it”.
