The Tribune

MONTHS after the successful hosting of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Nassau, The Bahamas scored its final goal of the season, winning the Best Event Award at this year’s Beach Soccer Stars gala in Dubai, Al Habtoor City.

Players, coaches, fans and stakeholders from across the world of beach soccer gathered for the star-studded event to honour those with the most impressive performances over the past 12 months.

Anton Sealey, president of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA), accepted the award on behalf of the federation, members of the Local Organising Committee and the people of The Bahamas.

“Obviously it’s a tremendous honour given the competition we were up against. I would like to say a special thank you to the team back in The Bahamas, the government and people of The Bahamas for their tremendous support, and to Beach Soccer Worldwide for assisting us in putting on such an amazing event,” Sealey said to the crowded ballroom.

Beach soccer events were staged in over 22 countries over the past year, but only three were nominated. The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 came out on top, beating out the Euro Winners Cup Nazare 2017 and BSWW Tour Visit Puerta Vallarta 2017.

The event, which was held in Nassau February 27 to May 7, welcomed just under 60,000 spectators and saw teams from The Bahamas, Switzerland, Ecuador, Senegal, Nigeria, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Panama, Brazil, Tahiti, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Iran and Japan compete for the top spot.

“The LOC of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 deserved the Best Event Award in this 2017 edition. The whole LOC team and volunteers led by Anton Sealey did an excellent job. All of them, together with the Bahamas government and the BFA, put together an amazing World Cup that beach soccer fans and athletes will never forget,” said Joan Cusco,

“The event and its success planted a seed for beach soccer in the country, which resulted in a strong legacy for beach soccer, which will result in a strong legacy program in the long term. The permanent stadium has been home for the beach soccer discipline in the Commonwealth Youth Games already in 2017 and will host several more international beach soccer tournaments starting in 2018.”