Officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment join by CONCACAF officials during the Courtesy Call, which was held at the Ministry's Headquarters in SKY Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

On Wednesday, February 28th, President of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani and his team made a Courtesy Call to Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith at the Ministry's Headquarters in Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

Discussions surrounded a greater focus on football in the island from a community level onwards. President of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), Randolph ‘Randy’ Harris, was also present.

“Football plays a special role in the hearts of almost every population in CONCACAF. Obviously, it’s important to the people, especially for what it shows for the young people, in terms of an opportunity, not only from a health and wellness standpoint, but also aspirational,” Mr. Montagliani said.

Minister Griffith indicated that the Ministry would be grateful for contributions towards the improvement of sports in general, noting that the sports department had embarked on a series of programmes with the Barbados Football Association to facilitate certification of grassroots community coaches.

“What we’re looking to do is to have that grassroots movement … starting at community levels. We are outfitting all of our playing fields with lights to ensure … that football will not stop at 4:30, that you can play up to nine o’clock. So, we’re doing what is necessary on the ground,” the Sports Minister stated.

Also present were Amanda James, BFA General Secretary and Emmerson Boyce, Marco Leal, CONCACAF Deputy General Secretary, Horace Reid, CONCACAF Director of member association affairs, Howard Mcintosh, CONCACAF Director of member services, Sofia Malizia, CONCACAF Senior Manager of member association division, Nidia Mercado, CONCACAF Manager of protocol, Neil Murrell, National Sports Council Director of Sports, Shawn Burke, Senior Youth Commissioner, Emmerson Bascombe, Francia Jordan, Permanent Secretary and Stephen Rowe, Sports Development Officer.