Member leagues of the St. Lucia Football Association Inc. [SLFA] recently completed participation in a thorough Finance Workshop as it relates to the SLFA’s Assistance Program – SLFAP.
According to an SLFA official, it was a successful session whereby SLFA President Lyndon Cooper provided an overview of the workshop. He specified that one of the main intentions of the programme is to provide members with unprecedented means to assist and complete the organisation’s work of promoting and developing football nationwide.
Notably, one of the objectives of the programme is to inject direct revenue to its 19 affiliates and provide a level of support to the respective leagues, so that the development of football is undertaken and sustained. Consequently, the program was created to provide direct investment in order to enable that meaningful support.
Cooper informed the participants that approximately $360,000 is being provided to members, mindful of the economic climate sponsorship is hard to come by and hence the continued investment. “We, as a governing body, are thus obligated to ensure that members remain viable and that the development programmes are put in place to sustain the game,” said the SLFA boss.
He further disclosed that these funds are being provided exclusively by FIFA “and as a responsible governing body we are obligated to account for the disbursed funds. We must also continue to understand the importance of these rules that characterise and control funding which is important for our survival”.
Cooper asserted: “Hence it is incumbent on you members to understand that there is a level of accountability, guidelines, and stipulation which must be adhered to.”
He added that “ Thus this workshop is very important as it will guide you and give you a great appreciation as to what you can and cannot do with the allocated funds, where you can use (it) and why you cannot use it in some instances and the rationale for creating that programme.”