The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

With the final scope of work on the newly constructed Malcolm Park Beach Soccer facility about 93 per cent complete, the Bahamas Football Association and the Local Organising Committee are preparing to welcome the world to the Bahamas.

With the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup less than 30 days away, the BFA and the LOC indicated that they are looking forward to an entertaining 14 days of activities, including nine days of competition - April 27 to May 7.

Joining the Bahamas in competition will be Tahiti, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Nigeria, Senegal, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Panama, Mexico, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Japan, all of whom qualified from their respective qualifying tournaments. 

The World Cup comes on the heels of the successful hosting of the CONCACAF Qualifier that was held February 20-26 to test the standards of the 3,500-seat arena. While Panama and Mexico earned the rights to play by virtue of finishing as the top two teams in the qualifier, the Bahamas was awarded a spot as the host.

“The transformation of our stadium from what you would have seen it for the qualifier is going to be resoundingly different and more exciting,” said Jeffrey Beckles, chairman of the LOC, which will host the prestigious event for the first time in the Caribbean region.

“Last week, we had the great honor of launching our trophy tour here in Nassau and it’s making its way around the Bahamas. In the next several weeks, including Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island.”

‘Pure Vibe,’ the theme song for the competition that was written and sung by Bahamians, have gotten a number of hits and Beckles said they intent for it to a second nature event for all Bahamians.

Additionally, during the next 30 days, Beckles said the city of Nassau would be flooded with the pageantry depicting the World Cup’s billboards and posters.

Beckles, however, said the BFA, the LOC, the Government of the Bahamas, FIFA and CONCACAF could not be able to pull of the World Cup without the support from their local and international partners.

Among those partnering in the efforts are Coca-Cola, the official beverage; Kia, the official car; Scotia Bank, celebrating its 60th year as the official bank; BTC, national supplier of all communication services and Kalik, the official beer.

Dignitaries coming in

Sealey thanked the LOC for the tremendous work that they have done so far with the CONCACAF Qualifier and the anticipation of what they will continue to do for the World Cup.

“Beach soccer is a made for TV event and I really want to encourage the fans because we do have and we have been notified that we will be having an awful lot of people coming in,” Sealey revealed.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, will lead the list of dignitaries that will also include Fatma Sambia Diouf Samoura, the General Secretary, along with other FIFA and CONCACAF officials.

“All of these people will be here to attend the opening of this event ands be here with us for a few days,” Sealey said. “So it’s an excellent opportunity for us to showcase what the Bahamas is and makes us the destination of choice for all things sports and entertainment.”

Preparation for event

Beckles commended Bruce LaFleur, who has the responsibility of getting the facility ready for the World Cup through Cavalier, the local contractors.

“I think you will see over the next 30 days, the fever pitch will rise,” Beckles stressed. “We’re getting to announce our high school competition. We are 30 days out and these are exciting times for the entire football community, for the Bahamas and indeed for all of our global partners.”

With less than 30 days to go, Bruce LaFleur said they are just about 93 % completed with all of the work needed to have the stadium ready.

“We’ve had a great collaboration with government and all of the agencies have been putting fourth their best and helping us out as we make this last sprint to the finish line,” he revealed.

“We have 30 days to go to put on the best Beach Soccer World Cup that the world has ever seen.”

There is still some groundwork to be completely with a few cable wiring to ensure that the fans can take advantage of the internet connections that will be provided by BTC.

“We are just trying to get those last pieces of infrastructure put in place,” he said. “Everybody is working hard as far as construction is concerned. Again, it’s going to be a different experience.”

Fans will be using a newly designed entrance from the fan zone on Malcolm Park to gain access into the stadium.

Compared to what was witnessed at the CONCACAF Qualifier, Beckles revealed that the pageantry would be distinctively different for the World Cup.

“You will see the elements of our Bahamian culture and when you walk in here, it would not be what you experienced before,” Beckles stressed. “All of the flags of all the country members of FIFA, along with the colors of the countries who are playing. So the color and vibrance will be totally different.”

Free Tickets

While tickets are free, fans are urged to collect them at the National Beach Soccer facility at the Malcolm Park’s entrance gate on game days. VIC packages, however, will be available at a cost.

“When we open on April 27, Team Bahamas will be playing in the opening game and we want the entire Team Bahamas fan base to be here at the stadium,” Beckles said.

“If you can’t get in, we have a great solution with the fan zone. It will be ready over the next few weeks where we will be making provisions for another 3,000 patrons.”

Further cementing the need for the Bahamian public to get the tickets early, Sealey said once you get up, you give your seat to someone else.

“Don’t think you can watch the first game, leave for the second game and comer back for the third game. Your seat will be taken.”

The adjacent Malcolm Park will be set up with two 18-20 feet jumbotrons that will allow those persons who can’t get into the stadium to watch live, replay and slow motion action from each game as they are entertained by local groups.

Beckles said while a lot of Bahamians will not get the opportunity to travel to a World Cup event, they are bringing the World Cup to the Bahamas and so he encouraged the general public to come out and patronize the event, especially when Team Bahamas is performing.

Once the World Cup is completed, the BFA has indicated that they intend to take full advantage of the use of the stadium for a number of events, including the hosting of pro beach soccer and beach volleyball.