‘We’re ready to go now’ World Cup bid submitted as JFF, Government sign agreement

Now that outstanding government issues have been dealt with, and documentation readied for the country’s bid with three other Concacaf nations for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, lead parties have expressed relief and gratitude.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the government finally signed off on the document, with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts revealing that the document, which was on the table for months, was delayed due to seven points that needed to be vetted and agreed on.

“Yesterday, we signed the contract with government for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. So government has taken care of all of the paperwork,” Ricketts confirmed.

AGREEMENT

The agreement included visas, work permits, immigration, labour laws, tax exemptions and foreign exchange undertakings, safety and security, protection of competition rights, waiver indemnification, and other league issues.

“This is a seven-point document that the government would have signed off on. The government would have looked at all that in detail to ensure that they fulfil all these requirements. We (JFF) are now in the process of sending the document to FIFA,” Ricketts outlined.

“Government was very careful that they are in a position to meet these requirements, so they would have taken a little bit of time because we are a third-world country, and we really had to make sure we could meet all of these requirements.

“So it did take a long time, but understandably so. Cabinet would have gone through it (document) with a fine-toothed comb. So we were a little bit behind, and we are very grateful we have signed off with the government.

“Cabinet has given approval. The Ministry of Tourism would have been part of the agreement, but it is essentially Minister (of Sport, Olivia) Grange, and yesterday (Tuesday), we signed off with Minister Grange, agreeing that the government will host the 2031 World Cup as part of a group of countries.

“So that is behind us, and I spoke with the president of the US Soccer Federation (Cindy Parlow Cone), and she is super excited, and I think we are ready to go now.”

COMMITTEE

He noted that the Cabinet has plans to set up an organising committee that would comprise representatives from the different ministry agencies, and together, with the JFF, will guide the process.

“This is huge. This is probably the biggest sporting event that will take place here, and we are guaranteed three to five games, depending on the schedule of games

“I am not at liberty right now to disclose the numbers (projected profits from hosting the World Cup), but I am pretty sure we will be able to do so later on.

“It is only a few years from now, and we have to take inflation into account when we try to craft these numbers, but we will certainly benefit from hosting a global tournament of this magnitude,” said Ricketts.

FIFA is expected to make an official announcement of the hosts for the 2031 tournament at an extraordinary congress in November. The other host countries will be the USA, Costa Rica and Mexico.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Grange underscores Government involvement.

“With the signing, the Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) will partner with FIFA in fulfilling the responsibilities and deliverables associated with Jamaica’s hosting obligations. These include establishing legal mechanisms for guarantees, bonds, declarations,” Grange said at the ceremony at the offices of the ministry at Trafalgar Road.

“Indirect economic impact will come from a large number of international visitors, and spending on food, transport, and tours. Media and TV exposure of Kingston will also be of priceless value to our tourism brand. Significant economic injection is expected,” Grange said.

“It also gives us bragging rights as the first Caribbean nation to host Women’s World Cup matches. Jamaica will host three to five group stage matches and one match in the round of 32.”