No change to CIFA executives following 2023 congress

The Cayman Islands Football Association executive board will remain unchanged following the much-anticipated 57th CIFA annual general meeting.

The AGM, held on Saturday, 23 Sept., at the Westin resort, featured both Mark Campbell and Mark Beckford retaining their seats within the association after both faced challengers.

Antwan Seymour was hoping to dethrone Beckford, to become first vice president. However, Beckford bested Seymour nine votes to seven, earning another four years in the role.

The Compass reached out to Beckford for a comment on regaining his position, but has not received a response. However, prior to the congress, he issued a statement to the Compass noting his plans to develop the domestic leagues along with appealing to the private sector for more sponsorship in assisting both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Campbell was reelected assistant general secretary in an overwhelming 13 votes to five, against Martin Cooke. Armando Ebanks ran unopposed and so kept his seat as treasurer.

Following the congress, Alfredo Whittaker, CIFA president, told the Compass that he was pleased to have things remain the same – saying that he and his team have worked hard and are looking to finalise several plans.

“This is a board that has worked very hard,” Whittaker said. “It is a board that is committed to help CIFA not only to improve but to get accepted on a standard locally and internationally.

“I think in the short five years, we have have accomplished a lot and started to see the light. The team has clear ideas for what the association needs and we will look to do that.”

Plans for football

• The completion of the CIFA Centre of Excellence, which consists of two additional fields, and a mini-stadium, with amenities for athletes, along with bleachers that will seat almost 2,000 spectators.
• Sending a national team for the first time to the 2025 Island Games or any upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, in addition to finding more sponsorship and improving domestic leagues and national teams.