The Grenada Football Association (GFA) recently welcomed the President of Concacaf and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani and his high-level delegation to Grenada for an official 2-day visit that signalled renewed energy, infrastructural commitment, and international support for Grenada’s football landscape.
Held from 8–9 May 2025, the visit brought together leaders from government, tourism, and football in a unified call for accelerated development of the sport in Grenada. The delegation was formally received during a press conference hosted at the Maurice Bishop International Airport Conference Room on Thursday evening, where the shared vision for Grenadian football took centre stage.
Delivering remarks were:
- Hon. Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism
- Victor Montagliani, President, Concacaf and Vice President, FIFA
- Petra Roach, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority
- Marlon Glean, President, Grenada Football Association
Also present were members of the GFA Executive Board, General Secretary Carl Lee, and GFA staff. Hon. Delma Thomas, Minister of Sports, was notably absent due to her involvement in welcoming home Grenada’s national CARIFTA team at a concurrent event. Her warm regards were delivered by Hon. Adrian Thomas during his remarks.
In his address, President Montagliani praised Grenada’s strategic direction under the leadership of GFA President Marlon Glean, reaffirming Concacaf’s commitment to the island’s football development. “At Concacaf, we have a philosophy of ‘football first,’ which means every decision must ultimately benefit the game. What makes me confident about Grenada is that your president is a footballer. Grenada is in good hands,” he said. “There will be challenges, but Concacaf will continue to support through initiatives like the Executive Mentorship Programme, the One Concacaf Program, and our growing list of regional competitions,” he continued.
Montagliani emphasised the importance of partnership among stakeholders, including the Government of Grenada, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Grenada Tourism Authority, to help realise the island’s vast football potential. “Grenada has real opportunity on the global stage. Whether it is through local talent or international representation, we want to ensure that, from an infrastructure standpoint, we are doing our part. Concacaf, alongside FIFA, is committed to expanding infrastructure at every level,” he stated.
Minister Adrian Thomas, speaking on behalf of the government, underscored the value of sports in national development and its connection to the economy. “Sports tourism can contribute significantly to the GDP of our country. We recognise that, and that is why this government, and those before us, have made significant investments in infrastructure. Yes, we have more to do, but our support for football remains strong,” he stated.
Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, echoed those sentiments, noting the central role that football plays in sports tourism and national branding. “The fact that the Minister and I were invited to this event speaks volumes. Sports tourism contributes to both economic and people development,” she shared.
She cited compelling statistics. “Football alone represents 40% of sports tourism annually. Globally, sports tourism is a $600 billion market and accounts for nearly 10% of international arrivals. We take this very seriously at the GTA,” Roach said.
She also thanked Concacaf for its infrastructural investments and emphasised the importance of grassroots and women’s football, both of which are being expanded under the GFA’s current leadership.
GFA President Marlon Glean expressed deep gratitude for the visit and reinforced his vision for Grenadian football. “We are honoured to have President Montagliani and Concacaf visit and engage with us. But let me be honest, Grenadian football is not where it should be. We are currently ranked 174 in the world. That is unacceptable,” he stated.
President Glean outlined key initiatives the GFA is undertaking to drive transformation:
- Relaunching the National Grassroots Programme, targeting 5,000 children playing every Saturday across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique
- Launching the Talent Development Scheme (TDS), which focuses on elite players aged 12–16 through parish academies and consistent training
- Reviving Primary School Football, ensuring that every school is equipped to participate in competitions come September
He also confirmed that FIFA will be sending a dedicated Talent Coach by July to support national youth teams for a 2-year development cycle. Yet, he stressed, “None of these matters if we do not take care of our infrastructure.” He pointed to the condition of the Kirani James Athletics Stadium pitch as a key concern. “The quality of the playing surface is essential, not only to host international matches but to welcome our top Grenadian professionals playing abroad,” he said.
During their stay, the Concacaf delegation will also pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell and conduct a site visit to the proposed location of the GFA Technical Centre, envisioned as a national hub for training, education, and football development. Hon. Delma Thomas, Minister for Sports, is expected to join the delegation at the site visit, along with Victor Clarke, British High Commissioner, who recently facilitated a significant donation of football equipment to the GFA through the English FA.
The Grenada Football Association thanks all media houses, government partners, and stakeholders for their support.
GFA
