CFU News — The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) held its 43rd Ordinary Congress on Thursday 8th July 2021 at the JW Marriott in Miami. The congress marked the first time the membership met in person in 20 months.
CFU President Randolph Harris thanked the CFU delegates for their time and commitment, saying, “Covid-19 may have curtailed our interactions, but it did not diminish our commitment and dedication to our sport.
“Whilst we could not play and meet, we reviewed and strategized. If anything, we redoubled our efforts. We did that because we have long known that football in the CFU is more than a matter of winning matches, advancing in competitions and climbing the world rankings,” President Harris said.
The CFU president highlighted the achievements of the Executive Committee and thanked the Member Associations for their collegiality.
“Our term in office is characterized, amongst other reforms, by the indisputable repairing of the CFU’s image and the establishment of a good governance platform upon which we rebuilt the relationships with FIFA and CONCACAF and amongst the MAs. We introduced three developmental competitions -for boys, girls, and women; bolstered the professionalism of the secretariat; enshrined the principles of accountability and transparency into our operations; ensured that the organization works in service of the membership, using the resources to provide tangible support to MAs; revised the statues; and paid keen attention to our visibility and communications strategy. I am proud of the work we have done, and you all should be proud, too, because this is your organization, working in your best interest,” President Harris said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered remarks. He told the delegates that they are winning in their “own world cup.”
“We are a family that shares the same passion -the passion of football; the passion for the heart that is beating in the right place; the passion for our children, the boys and the girls. Each member can win its own world cup, because every smile on every child means you are winning,” the FIFA president said.
He pledged continued commitment to the Caribbean, saying of FIFA, “Count on us. We will make Caribbean football shine on the world stage, and we know FIFA can count on you always.”
During his remarks, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani referenced the 2026 Men’s World Cup that will be held in the CONCACAF confederation.
“The challenge is to have five nations at the 2026 World Cup,” Montagliani said. He said the Caribbean football organizations would have the support of CONCACAF in programs and workshops, starting in the next few months.
“Focus on off the field to ensure that everything you do off the field is at World Cup level,” the CONCACAF president said, adding that this commitment to administrative excellence is a precursor to excellence on the field.”
The congress elected a new Executive Committee, which has a four-year mandate. The board is: President: Randolph Harris (Barbados) elected unopposed, Vice Presidents: Lyndon Cooper (Saint Lucia) elected unopposed, Richard Dijkhoff (Aruba) elected unopposed, Rignaal Francis (Curacao) elected unopposed.
Members: Glen Etienne (Dominica) elected unopposed, Michael Ricketts (Jamaica) elected unopposed, Gwendolyn Salmon (Antigua and Barbuda) elected unopposed, and Jeaninne Wong Loi Sing (Bonaire) elected unopposed.