Caribbean News
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford Re-Elected to Concacaf Council for Third Term Unopposed
#TurksandCaicos, February 26, 2023 – On Saturday, February 25th, 2023, Concacaf hosted its 38th Ordinary Congress. As the world collectively emerges from the restrictions and impact of COVID-19, a face-to-face meeting of the Congress was organized and held at the National Museum of Art in Antigua, Guatemala, with representation
from forty of its forty-one member associations.
Included on the agenda were the acknowledgments and discussion of last year’s successes, progression, and challenges. This provided an opportunity to reflect on the many competitions delivered in 2022, activities and projects away from the field, such as the Executive Mentorship programme which was introduced to the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association in conjunction with a girls’ football festival, Commercialization Workshops, Coaching Conventions, Coaching License Programs, The Generation Amazing Program, and Concacaf Infrastructure Project; to name a few. New projects/initiatives for 2023 onward were also presented.
This year’s Congress saw the election of Concacaf Council and FIFA Council offices, namely, President, Vice-President (North America), Vice-President (Caribbean), Member (Central America), Female Member, and FIFA Council Member (Central America). In this regard, TCIFA President Sonia Fulford, un-contested, reigned victorious in her re-election to the Concacaf Council as its Female Member with voting rights.
Sonia Fulford was first appointed to the FIFA and Concacaf Council in a co-opted position in 2013. Following this, at the 30th ordinary Congress in 2015, she was elected as the first female to hold an elected position on the Concacaf Council. Since then, she has remained an active member of the council, with responsibility for developing the game in all areas, but more importantly, maintaining her platform to bring parity for women in sports, particularly football.
Sonia Fulford commented, “It is always a productive experience at the Concacaf Congress. We get to be reminded of
the work of the Confederation, and this inclusive process allows for equal participation from each Member Association. Firstly, I’d like to express my profound gratitude to all the Member Associations Presidents and my colleagues for their vote of confidence in me, allowing me the opportunity to serve for another term. It gives me an opportunity to continue what I feel is my progressive agenda and work with the Council to continue building on the great work of our Confederation. Many thanks to my husband, Guardvin, who continues to provide unconditional support to me in my extremely demanding role. I’m forever grateful for your patience, support, and understanding.”
In addition, Victor Montagliani was re-elected to the President’s office, Nick Bontis to the Vice-President – North America, Randolph Harris to the Vice-President – Caribbean, Jorge Salomon to Vice President – Central America, and Rodolfo Villalobos to Concacaf’s FIFA Council member- Central America. As a result of two vacant positions remaining, The Concacaf Council appointed Cindy Parlow Cone to Member – North America and Sergio Chuc – Member Central America.
For more information, please contact TCIFA Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Candia Ewing at 941-5532 or cewingtcifa@gmail.com
Address:
TCIFA National Academy
Venetian Road
Providenciales
Turks and Caicos Islands
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way. It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination.
“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said. He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar
revenue. Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders.
“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M. By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M). So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.”
This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors.
Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again. Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP. The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there. There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.
Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti. They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world. The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas.
CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the
way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.
“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation. The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”
It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place. Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.
In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,
“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti. They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center. 
A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder. From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships.
A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’. The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS.
For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG
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