President of the Grenada Football Association (GFA), Marlon Glean, made a compelling contribution to the global football discourse during his recent participation in the prestigious World Football Summit (WFS) held in Hong Kong.
Sitting alongside international leaders in football business and governance, President Glean used the moment to amplify the Caribbean perspective on sport development, sponsorship equity, and grassroots growth, positioning Grenada and the region as a vital but often overlooked contributor to the future of global football.
A Caribbean voice in the global conversation
The panel discussion, themed “Future of Growth in Sports: Sharing Business Models and Sponsorship Learnings,” provided a platform for President Glean to outline the structural inequalities that small associations face in securing sponsorships. He addressed the systemic barriers that Caribbean nations contend with small domestic markets, limited broadcast reach, and under-resourced grassroots systems despite consistently producing world-class talent.
“We are not short on talent. What we lack is infrastructure, consistent funding, and equitable access to sponsorship networks,” President Glean stated during the session. His call to action was both passionate and strategic: “If we can produce elite athletes without elite investment, imagine what is possible if we were truly seen, truly supported, and truly funded.”
Elevating Grenada and the region
President Glean’s participation marks a historic moment for Grenadian football, signalling the island’s rising influence in shaping global football policy and practice. By voicing the challenges and immense potential of small island nations, he not only advanced Grenada’s football diplomacy but also paved the way for regional partnerships and international investment in the Caribbean sport sector.
In his remarks, he referenced the Adidas-Jamaica partnership as a case study proving the viability of Caribbean markets when the right strategic alignment and storytelling are in place. He also proposed innovative sponsorship models, including diaspora-led campaigns and public-private collaborations, such as leveraging the Citisenship by Investment (CBI) programme to channel funding into national team development.
A global recognition of visionary leadership
President Glean’s contribution was met with admiration from global peers, earning him further speaking invitations. He is slated to speak at Soccerex Miami, another major football business gathering, and has also been invited to speak at an upcoming Football Summit in Saudi Arabia this December 2025, where he will continue championing the cause of small federations and emerging football markets.
His growing recognition reflects not only personal leadership but also a strategic shift in how Caribbean football is perceived on the world stage.
Tied to a bigger vision: GFA’s roadmap for growth
President Glean’s advocacy at WFS aligns seamlessly with his domestic agenda for Grenada’s football development, which includes:
- Building sustainable grassroots ecosystems
- Enhancing coaching education and technical development
- Expanding access to youth programs across parishes
- Modernising GFA’s infrastructure and commercialisation approach
- Securing meaningful partnerships that extend beyond equipment donations to capacity building and knowledge exchange
At the core of his mission is a desire to transform Grenada from a source of raw talent to a hub of football excellence, capable of supporting player development, coaching careers, and broader sports-based social impact.
GFA
