CONCACAF Sports Summit Time to develop a sustainable Pro League – Webb

Oct 23, 2013 Sports

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By Franklin Wilson in the Cayman Islands
The inaugural CONCACAF Sports Summit, which has been deemed a resounding success, was held yesterday at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
It was an event that not only attracted representatives from the 41 Member Associations of the confederation, but Prime Ministers and Ministers of Sports throughout the region including Guyana’s Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
FIFA’s President Joseph Sepp Blatter and General Secretary Jerome Valke were also part of yesterday’s activity, the first of its kind in the football world.
Blatter’s presentation focused on the power of football. The FIFA boss emphasized the three powers of the game:
1. Social Power, which he said takes in education, culture and entertainment, saying that the game is a school of life and that the game needs the support of the various ministries of sport, education and health.
2. Economic Power, citing the enormous amounts of revenues that are generated from tournaments and TV rights.
3. Political Power, he called on the representatives of government present to help the game by partnering with the associations and federations.
CONCACAF President, Jeffrey Webb, whose brain child it was to host such an event said that it was a forum aimed at fostering collaboration between the relevant stakeholders targeting growth and development of the region, while providing new opportunities that will enhance sports tourism, social and economic development.
“The future development and growth of our region is in our hands and millions around our region will share this vision. The confederation is grateful for the opportunity to bring such prominent stakeholders together to understand and to maximize the potential of a strong partnership and cooperation.”
Webb, who is also a FIFA Vice President, noted that the summit will empower all federations through development to establish strong foundations to grow the sport from grassroots to world class oppositions, noting that CONCACAF is in a new phase and era poised for expansion, while encouraging all to be a part of new exciting times.
Passionate about development in a holistic way ever since he took of the reigns of leadership some 18 months ago, Webb pointed out that 80% of the nations that make up CONCACAF do not have a fully professional football league. He also noted that 80% of the revenue generated by the affiliates is generated by less than 20% of the membership.
Of the 300 million football players around the world, 43 million comes from CONCACAF which is also the region with the most female players per capita in the world; 23% of the 26 million women players around the world are in the CONCACAF Region.
Webb was emphatic in stating that it is time for a sustainable professional league to be established. The former Cayman Islands national player also informed that CONCACAF has dedicated 76% of its budget in this cycle towards development and tournaments.
“Investment in football is investment in human capital. Investment in facilities, human capital and infrastructure will all contribute to CONCACAF nations becoming the destination of choice. Together we can build an impressive resume of hosting sports tournaments from grassroots to major international events. Excellence should be our goal.”
He posited that football has the potential to serve as a catalyst for social, economic and national advancement in each of the 41 countries affiliated to the CONCACAF.
“Our aim is to provide a fertile environment of cooperation that over time, will build stronger nations. Football seems like a natural vehicle to provide basic core values of integrity, competence, discipline and fair play. Football should also endorse messages that include health, education and crime prevention.”
Welcoming the delegates and special invitees was the Honorable Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands who stated that football is much more than a game: “It helps develop leadership, team work; it helps our youth get scholarships to enhance their education. It also helps in the areas of health and crime prevention.”
McLaughlin, himself a former goalkeeper, informed of the heavy investment his government would have made in developing facilities throughout the island, especially after hurricane Ivan had devastated, recognising the importance it plays in the improvement of the lives of young people.
“I believe that this generation of youths in Cayman has a lot to be thankful for given the vision of people the likes of Jeff Webb and a commitment of government to restore facilities which now have international standards.”
Working together he said would bring the necessary transformation that would improve society both socially and economically. McLaughlin also zoomed in on Sports Tourism which he said is a 600 Billion industry in the world and it was time for the Cayman Islands and indeed the members of CONCACAF move in that direction, noting that it was a new unchartered sea of opportunity.
The unlimited opportunities that comes with it was cited in the example of the Cayman Islands hosting the CONCACAF Under-15 championships as well as the inaugural CONCACAF Sports Summit. This, McLaughlin said puts his country on the world map.
The many sessions that were held where prominent world figures including former national players, were well accepted, participants also had the opportunity to interact with the panelists and were given the opportunity to ask questions.
Speakers included FIFA President Joseph Blatter, General Secretary Jerome Valke, former players Cobi Jones (USA), Dwight Yorke and Shaka Hislop (T&T), Honorable Randolph Horton – current Speaker of the House of Assembly of Bermuda, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller – Prime Minister of Jamaica.

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