Relations between the Cayman Islands Football Association and the Ministry of Sports seem to have taken a turn for the worse, following a dispute over funding.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t received one dollar since the new administration,” Alfredo Whittaker, CIFA president told the Cayman Compass in a sit-down interview on 26 Oct.
The PACT administration allocated $150,000 to CIFA in the budget for 2022-2023.
However, since the general election in April last year, Whittaker says CIFA has not received any money from government.
Teresa Echenique, chief officer in the ministry, indicated to the Compass on Thursday, 3 Nov., that CIFA had not supplied the necessary documents that are required for the grant and, despite the criticism, they are still hoping to work with the association heading into next year.
“The Ministry is able to offer a number of grants in the 2022-2023 budget cycle, which includes Purchase Agreements with 8 Focus Sports Associations, [including CIFA]. Once these associations submit the necessary documentation and have met the requirements outlined for the Purchase Agreement, the Ministry will uphold our commitment and make the agreed payments. However, this again is subject to the associations being in full compliance with the Ministry’s guidelines,” she said.
Whittaker maintains to the Compass that all necessary documentation has been submitted to government to procure the funds.
When asked if there was an internal issue between the association and current Sports Minister Bernie Bush, Whittaker said; “I don’t think that Mr. Bush would take things personally,” he said. “[It] could be rumors, could be something true to it, but the fact is, I really don’t know.”
He added, “At the end of the day… you’re not hurting CIFA, you’re not going to make CIFA look bad, you’re hurting the sports family of the Cayman Islands”.
This is not the first time that CIFA has taken aim at the sports ministry and its departments. Last month, after their senior football season kicked off in darkness, because floodlights on the fields had not been replaced after being destroyed by Tropical Storm Grace in August 2021, Whittaker described the issue as “sad”.
“It’s not only about the lights, the fields are in terrible condition also,” Whittaker said.
“The bathrooms need to be changed… They are not taking good care of them,” he stated.
In her statement, Echenique insisted the ministry was “very willing to work with and support our Sporting Organizations and Associations when and if possible”.
She stressed, “Based on one of Minister Bush’s priorities, ‘Talent Identification and Development’ is indeed key and of great importance to the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage.”
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