Bahamas Included In FIFA Win In CONCACAF With CONCACAF Programme

The Bahamas has been confirmed as one of the participating countries in FIFA's new development programme, Win In CONCACAF With CONCACAF (WICWC). Following the success of the Win In Africa programme launched last year, FIFA has extended the programme to the Confederation of North America, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), including three areas earmarked for development in the region, National League Program, Youth Development Program and Sports Executive Education.

"The Win In CONCACAF Programme gives the Bahamas another wonderful avenue through which we can develop our game," said BFA General Secretary Lionel Haven. "The area that the Bahamas has been selected is Youth Development, and while we did not have a choice in this, this does tie in nicely with out goals and objectives." To confirm the Bahamas' participation, FIFA representative Dick Howard from Canada visited the Bahamas and held a series of meetings with BFA Executives, youth coaches and administrators to present the programme and to garner information on how best the programme can serve the country. Howard's presentation gave an overview of the structure of the Win In CONCACAF programme, confirming the three areas of development and expounding on the areas that FIFA will offer assistance to the Bahamas. Designed to be tailor-made for the participating Member Association, the Youth Development Programme offers assistance and information on youth national structure, assistance for the organization of competitions and tournaments, coaching courses and additionally sports equipment. With a flourishing Youth League in New Providence, a similarly successful YMCA Programme in Grand Bahama, and a developing programme in Andros, BFA officials are hoping that the programme will assist in the further development of the game in these two islands while also helping to export to other islands in the country. Already Eleuthera and Abaco are earmarked as being next on the tables for programmes and assistance and once completed, the goal of seeing football in many of the islands in the Bahamas can be reached.

BFA officials are currently in communication with FIFA about the direction that the programme will go in the Bahamas and look to see this fully in stride by the time the next school year, and soccer season commences in the country. With programmes already in place for youth and additionally plans to resume the BFA Coaching and Education Scheme in August 2009, with an area of concentration being youth, club and school coaches, FIFA's Win In CONCACAF With CONCACAF will be a welcome addition and needed boost to the continued development of football in the Bahamas.

For further information, please contact Lionel Haven at lehaven@bahamas.net.bs