FIFA President To Attend BVI Pitch Opening
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is scheduled to return to the British Virgin Islands to attend the official inauguration of the new football pitch in East End. The event marks a major milestone for the BVI Football Association following years of construction and project delays.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to make a high-profile return to the British Virgin Islands to attend the official inauguration of the newly completed football pitch in East End. According to an official invitation issued to the media by the BVI Football Association (BVIFA), Infantino will serve as a special guest at the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 25.
The upcoming trip marks Infantino's second official visit to the Territory. The global football leader made a historic initial visit to the Virgin Islands in August 2019 to tour the FIFA-funded facility in the East End/Long Look community. During that tour, he famously praised the scenic location, remarking that "in paradise there is a football pitch." At the time of his first visit, Infantino pledged to return within two years for the stadium's commissioning.
However, the overall project encountered several logistical and construction setbacks over the intervening years, extending the timeline for the complex's completion. The opening of the new pitch represents a significant step forward for the development of local athletics. Backed by FIFA's development funding, the venue is aimed at elevating the standard of football in the Territory, providing modern facilities for grassroots training, national team preparations, and competitive league fixtures.
Local sporting officials anticipate that the facility will not only nurture local athletic talent across all age groups but also position the British Virgin Islands to host regional and international matches in the future.
Primary source: VINO