GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – No one could have predicted eight years ago that the Cayman Islands would rise from the rubble and devastation of Hurricane Ivan to become host of the first 2013 CONCACAF Sports Summit.

The Summit was held today, Tuesday, 22 October, 2013, drawing more than 400 people committed to upping the game of football in the Caribbean.

The Summit officially opened Tuesday morning with comments from Caymanian native and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb and welcoming remarks from the Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin.

Mr. McLaughlin said Mr. Webb approached him in his capacity as Sports Minister in 2005 to propose that Government make major investments into the sports fields of the Cayman Islands. In September of 2004 Hurricane Ivan had wrought destruction throughout the country, leaving the playing fields and sports facilities in disarray.

“He talked long and passionate about what football had done and can do,” Mr. McLaughlin told a packed ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Government committed $25 million to sports facilities upgrades and the dividends, said Mr. McLaughlin, are now paying off.

“I want to thank you very much Jeff for your vision and your powers of persuasion,” the Hon. Premier said. “I didn’t dream back then that today you’d be President of CONCACAF and I certainly didn’t dream I’d be Premier.”

The theme of the two-day summit was Transformation through Partnership and drew Heads of State, Ministers of Sport, CONCACAF Executive Committee members, CONCACAF delegates from the 41 Member Associations and distinguished guests with a mission to improve and develop football in the Caribbean to the next level.

Mr. Webb brought the importance of football in the region home with numbers.

He said there are 43 million players at various levels in the CONCACAF region and that Mexico is the fourth league in the world in terms of attendance. Theamount of people involved in the game will only grow, he said.

“The Caribbean faces particular challenges when it comes to developing the game at a professional level. One of the main goals for the Caribbean has to be to develop a sustainable football league. It is time we make this happen,” he said. “The fact that we are here today proves there is still room for growth.”

The benefits would include regional improvements to health, education and crime prevention, he said.

“Football has the potential to serve as a catalyst for social and economic growth,” Mr. Webb said.

Sports Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden told Mr. Webb how proud his country is of his success in football. “The journey has just begun,” he told Mr. Webb.

He also congratulated him for being awarded the prestigious 2013 UNAIDS Protect the Goal Special Award for the Diaspora. The Protect the Goal campaign aims to raise awareness of HIV and mobilise young people to commit to HIV protection. It is the first time an individual has received the award, which will be given in a 15 January ceremony in Dakar, Senegal.

He also reminded those in the audience that earlier this year Cayman hosted a successful U-15 tournament, which will now be an annual event, and is anticipating the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 in January.

Hosting the games, as well as the Summit, is just one way that the Cayman Islands can boost its economy through Sports Tourism, the Hon. Premier said.

“Not only does sports tourism draw players, coaches and those who follow them, it attracts worldwide media coverage, foreign investment and political interest,” he said. “This summit will put the Cayman Islands in the international spotlight, giving us a marketing opportunity to show others throughout the world just how special our paradise is. We can’t buy that kind of positive advertising.”

Mr. McLaughlin said he agrees with FIFA Presidents Joseph “Sepp” Blatter “that football helps to provide lifelong education. It teaches character, spirit, respect and discipline, which all help us to better understand our fellow man. As he likes to say, ‘Football for all, all for football’.”

Mr. Blatter delivered the keynote address, The Power of Football.

He began by reminding the audience of football’s roots in England and the later growth of FIFA and said football has three powers – social, economic and political.

“Football is education, entertainment, based in discipline, respect and fair play. But more than that, football gives emotions and hope,” said Mr. Blatter. “Football has become, specifically in the past 25 years, a very significant economic power.” He said the advent of television has increased the game’s popularity and availability worldwide.

“Naturally football has a political dimension. It is important for the development of the game all around the world but especially in smaller countries.

“When football is working as education, as a school of life, political authorities must help football,” he added, noting that national teams are “the best ambassadors” for a country.

Mr. Blatter told Mr. Webb that he is on the right track with CONCACAF.

“There are no problems, there are only solutions,” he said.

PHOTOS:

Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin told the CONCACAF Summit audience that it is time for the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean region to reap the benefits of football.

FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter spoke to the 2013 CONCACAF Sports Summit audience about the power of football Tuesday, 23 October, 2013, at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Photos: Tammie C. Chisholm

Cayman Islands Sports Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden thanks CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb for all of his hard work.

CONCACAF President and Caymanian Jeffrey Webb brought the 2013 CONCACAF Sports Summit to the Cayman Islands.