News
Candia Ewing Selected for Prestigious FIFA Unite Exchange Program
The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is proud to announce Candia Ewing’s participation in the 2024 FIFA Unite Exchange Program, in Zurich, Switzerland and Paris, France. The program officially launched in 2023, available to a select number of member associations at any given time. This year, Candia stands out as the only female representative among a distinguished group of
participants from Ghana, Uganda, Czech Republic, and Tajikistan. Each participant was meticulously selected by its Regional Development Team for this exceptional opportunity.
Candia’s presence at such an esteemed international platform underscores the advancements occurring in football administration, and serves as a beacon of hope for small associations, such as that of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The FIFA Unite Exchange Program aims to foster global collaboration and knowledge sharing within the football community, promoting the growth and development of the sport. Participants took part in a series of workshops, discussions, and activities aimed at enhancing their understanding of FIFA’s objectives and the support provided to member associations. Their stay at the Home of FIFA provided valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, participants presented individual projects to senior members of FIFA, each aiming to launch initiatives within their respective member associations.
Candia, in collaboration with her FIFA Peer Ruediger Muller (Head of Digital Content Products), shared her insights regarding the challenges faced within the TCIFA. The journey began with Ruediger’s visit to the Turks Islands Football Association, where he engaged in preliminary discussions and gained valuable perspectives. She proposed strategies aimed at enhancing the visibility and engagement of football in her home country. Her project focused on leveraging low-cost and “no-cost” channels using a six step road-map to enhance the marketing and communications capabilities, amplifying the reach of football initiatives and aiming to inspire a new generation of participants and supporters.
Candia’s unique perspective and dedication were well-received by her peers, leading to meaningful exchanges that promise to foster long-term collaborations and support for the TCIFA. Her experience was markedly different when compared to relatively larger associations that
focused on topics such as app development, enhancing football television services, and launching official branded merchandise and store installations. It is essential to recognise that smaller associations are still diligently working on establishing their foundational elements. She took great pride in discussing this matter!
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford commented, “Candia’s selection is a significant milestone, not only for her personal career, but for the TCIFA as a whole. This initiative is vital, as it plays a significant role in ensuring that football continues to thrive and foster community unity across the nation. The enthusiasm surrounding Candia’s involvement reflects a broader vision of growth and innovation within the TCIFA. I would also like to add that her journey is not only inspirational but also a catalyst for aspiring female leaders in the region, signalling to young women that there are no limits to what they can achieve in sports administration.”
“I am honored to have represented the Turks and Caicos Islands in the FIFA Unite Exchange Program,” said Candia. “This opportunity has allowed me to learn from others in the global football community and to bring back valuable insights that can help us grow the sport in our
region. I have gained a deeper understanding.” she continued. “The discussions and workshops were incredibly enriching, and I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned to make a tangible difference. I believe that with the strategies we’ve developed, we can create more opportunities and nurture a passion for football that extends beyond the field. I’m grateful for this unique experience and excited to collaborate with my colleagues at the TCIFA to turn these insights into action, and also build on the valuable relationships created at the Home of FIFA.”
The TCIFA is excited about the potential impact of Candia’s participation in the FIFA Unite Exchange Program, and looks forward to her contributions upon her return.
For more information about the FIFA Unite Exchange Program and the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association, please visit www.tcifootballassociation.com or contact Candia Ewing at cewingtcifa@gmail.com.
Address:
TCIFA National Academy
Venetian Road
Providenciales
Turks and Caicos Islands
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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