FIFA President Gianni Infantino has visited Grenada, where he participated in the inauguration of a FIFA Arena mini-pitch and met the Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, and Governor-General, Dame Cécile La Grenade, to discuss football’s role in creating opportunities for young people.

Accompanied throughout the visit by Grenada Football Association (GFA) President Marlon Glean and Vice President Carl Andall, Mr Infantino said he was struck by the passion for the sport across the Caribbean nation.

“I spent a wonderful and productive day in Grenada seeing the incredible passion for football across the island and how our game continues to bring communities together,” Mr Infantino said.

“I want to congratulate Grenada Football Association President Marlon Glean on the excellent work he is doing at the Federation,” he added. “Football belongs to everyone, everywhere, and we are working to ensure that every talent gets a chance, and every dream has the possibility of turning into a reality. A heartfelt thank you to everyone in this beautiful country for your incredible hospitality and dedication to our sport.”

The FIFA Arena pitch inauguration took place at the Saint John’s Primary School in Gouyave, one of two such pitches which will be installed in the country.

The FIFA President was joined by Government of Grenada Permanent Secretary Kim Frederick, Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) President Bernard Wilson, Mr Glean and Mr Andall, and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President Kieron Edwards.

Mr Infantino said the new pitch would “change the lives of many young girls and boys by providing a safe and accessible community space for them to play and enjoy our beautiful game”.

He added: “FIFA is proud to be in Grenada, where young people are excited for a bright future. This motivates us to continue working in collaboration with our partners to achieve our collective goal of making sure football reaches everyone, everywhere.”

FIFA is also working closely with the GFA on its ongoing national Technical Centre development in Seamoon, Saint Andrews Parish, which is being supported with funding from the FIFA Forward Programme and which will include pitches, fitness and recovery areas, office space and classrooms.

During his meeting with Dickon Mitchell, the FIFA President congratulated the Prime Minister on his re-election in the general election on 5 November.

“We discussed our shared commitment to developing football infrastructure, strengthening grassroots programmes, and creating bright opportunities for the youth across the country,” Mr Infantino said. “Working closely with Prime Minister Mitchell and our partners, we are ensuring that football continues to unite communities and inspire future generations in this beautiful country.”

The meeting with the Governor-General, Dame Cécile La Grenade, centred on how FIFA and the Grenada can continue their collaboration “to bring smiles, opportunities and unite girls, boys, women and men of this country,” Mr Infantino added.

“As we discussed our plans to provide safe spaces for children and make our game accessible to everyone, I was pleased to receive support for FIFA’s different development programmes which are making a difference in the lives of so many here and around the world.”

The GFA’s work with FIFA has already been making a difference for local youth. For example, it funnelled more than USD 500,000 in FIFA Forward funding into its National Grassroots Programme, which provides playing opportunities for girls and boys aged 6 to 14 at 30 facilities across the country, offering weekly training, tournaments and talent identification. More than 2,000 children have benefited from a system that represents the start of the GFA’s implementation of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.

In addition, FIFA Boots for All is also being implemented with the GFA planned to receive 500 pairs of boots for grassroots and football development initiatives.