by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce
Local football is set to score big following a decision by the region’s governing body Concacaf to fast-tracking an annual subvention of US $175,000 to all member associations amid the global coronavirus outbreak.
The advanced payment is welcoming news to the Barbados Football Association (BFA) despite president Randy Harris reporting last month that the entity is financially stable to withstand the economic threat posed by the deadly virus, which has brought international sports to a standstill.
“What usually happens is Concacaf would give their members money and usually you have to submit the areas that it will be used for. In this case of COVID-19, they are accelerating the funds to the members, so that any problems that may have arisen financially due to the virus, it would give them some immediate assistance. All members are entitled to this,” Harris said during a telephone interview.
BFA President Randy Harris
“We would have received it regardless but because of the COVID-19 things were brought forward which is very good. We usually get the money later down in the year between July and November. They maybe individual members that may need additional help and that would be dealt with on a case by case basis,” Harris said.
On Thursday, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said he recognised member associations which have major financial obligations could become unease given the situation.
While stating that additional help is in the pipelines compliments world governing body FIFA, he revealed Concacaf has lifted some of the requirements needed to obtain the One Concacaf Development Fund which is put in place to help develop the sport.
Meanwhile Harris, who is also the vice president of Concacaf explained the funds will provide an income for BFA staff members.
“Nothing is happening now it would have done us well if our competitions were operating but what it does, it takes us and our employees from depending on Government’s social assistance because we will have money to pay salaries as usual.
“I am very happy still being able to provide money for my staff because I had originally told them that after the end of April we will relook and see how we would move forward. I am so pleased that both FIFA and Concacaf have come to our aid in this respect. It would cause us to be in a good place. We will still continue to pay our utilities and take care of our expenses at the same time while we are in this crisis and running the facility,” Harris said.
The BFA boss mentioned that as far as the Digicel Premier League and other divisions are concerned, football could be suspended for the next two months but a tournament will be organised once the island returns to normalcy.
“We would just be guessing at the moment because the curfew has been extended and unless something miraculously happens, I do not see any real activity until maybe the end of June in terms of football.
“Depending on when the all clear is given and if it is given this year, we will look to have a competition that would be short term that would give our players some sort of activity hopefully before the end of the day. It can only be short term only if permission is given by the authorities to have such activities,” Harris disclosed.
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