by Roxanne Thompson

• First of 5 planned FIFA Arena facilities launched at St John’s Anglican School
• FIFA president agrees to GFA request for four additional mini-pitches
• GFA aims to increase weekly football participation to 5,000 children

Grenada has launched its first FIFA Arena mini-pitch at St John’s Anglican School in Gouyave, St John, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino agreeing to support 4 additional facilities as the country seeks to expand access to football among children.

The facility was officially opened on Friday, 6 November, during a ceremony attended by football officials, students and community representatives. Measuring approximately 40 metres by 20 metres, the 800-square-metre playing area is designed for small-sided football and other recreational activities. The launch included performances by the school’s steel orchestra, cultural dancers, vieux corps and moko jumbies.

Marlon Glean, GFA with Gianni Infantino, FIFA. Photo: GFA

Grenada Football Association (GFA) President Marlon Glean described the Gouyave facility as the first of 5 originally planned for the country. He said the choice of St John’s Anglican School was influenced by the sporting history associated with the grounds, where several prominent Grenadian athletes began their journeys, including Olympic 400-metre champion Sir Kirani James. Glean said the facility would serve not only the school but also the wider St John community and West Coast. A second pitch is already under construction at Bishop’s College in Carriacou, while McDonald College in the parish of St Patrick has been identified for another facility. Glean appealed to Infantino for 4 additional pitches, and the FIFA president agreed to the request during his address.

Glean said the GFA currently has just over 2,000 children participating in football each week and is targeting 5,000. He pointed to the association’s talent development work and recent international participation by its youth teams as evidence of the importance of providing opportunities from an early age. Infantino, who highlighted Grenada’s recent 3-3 draw against India at the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, said investment in facilities, coaching and youth development could help more children access the game and compete internationally. The draw came after India had established a 3-0 lead.

Infantino said football facilities should be accessible regardless of a country’s size or economic resources, describing the Gouyave pitch as an investment extending beyond sport. He identified teamwork, discipline, respect for opponents and resilience as lessons children could develop through playing football. The FIFA Arena initiative, launched in May 2025, aims to establish at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031 — with particular attention to underserved communities and areas near schools.

Student representative Ivana Belfon welcomed the facility on behalf of the school’s students and other students in the St John community, saying it would provide a place to play, learn and develop friendships. She said the pitch would give children who already enjoy football and those still learning the game an opportunity to participate, and pledged that students would take care of the new facility.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.