FIFA President holds discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Sports Minister Dwayne George Esquire and Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) President Ickford Roberts
Discussions focus on youth development and infrastructure, backed by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, FIFA Forward and FIFA Arena programmes
Mr Infantino watches Antigua and Barbuda beat Anguilla 5-0 in the Concacaf Nations League
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has held positive discussions with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Sports Minister Dwayne George Esquire and Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) President Ickford Roberts on the future of the game in the Caribbean nation.
“I was honoured to meet the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who leads a nation of football-loving people,” said Mr Infantino. “Alongside Sports Minister Dwayne George Esquire and [ABFA] President Ickford Roberts, we talked about supporting one another so that football can create hope and opportunities for the youth and bring communities together through the joy of the game.”
Mr Roberts – who played for his country – then joined Mr Infantino in watching the men’s national side take on Anguilla in League C of the Concacaf Nations League. Antigua and Barbuda won the game 5-0.
“I was thrilled to once again attend an exciting [Concacaf Nations League] match, where Antigua and Barbuda hosted Anguilla,” said Mr Infantino. “Congratulations to both teams on a great game and to [the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association] on the win.”
Mr Roberts, who was elected in May this year, is building on the foundation of development projects already up and running in Antigua and Barbuda.
FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) funds frequent high-performance training sessions for an elite group of 32 boys and girls with further support developing the ABFA’s National Academy for youngsters aged from 9 to 16. While the TDS fuels youth development at the elite level, the FIFA Football for Schools programme – launched in 2023 – brings the game to a broader cross-section of children.
Infrastructure also remains a priority. Thirteen FIFA Forward projects have been approved in Antigua and Barbuda since 2016, with USD 15.4 million in funding committed.
More will soon follow, with the ABFA moving ahead with the FIFA Arena programme, meaning children and communities across the islands will soon have even more opportunities to play the beautiful game.
“This encouraging interaction with [the Office of the Prime Minister] reinforces our commitment to working closely with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association and the government to ensure that everyone with a football dream has the resources and pathways to fulfil their potential,” the FIFA President said.