Support committee on fund-raising mission for Vincy Heat

With the cost of Vincy Heat’s participation in the fourth round of the CONCACAF Zone of the World Cup Qualifiers put at EC$1.5 million, the World Cup Support/Organizing Committee is on a mission to raise at least $600,000, in the first instance.{{more}}

Members of the broadbased committee, which was set up with specific terms of reference, last Monday at a press conference held at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s office, unveiled a number of pathways to attain its goal.

Beginning this weekend, two members of the committee, chair Nelson Hillocks and head of finance Dougal James, along with committee member of the SVGFF Dominique Stowe and well-known football administrator and coach Kendall John, will hold talks with stakeholders in New York.

In outlining the mandate, James said his committee’s aim is: “To ensure that the next round of matches involving Vincy Heat is completed with little or no financial stress on the Football Federation at the end of the day.”

“Our intention is to engage (the) corporate sector and also well-wishers and supporters in the diaspora… We do not intend, unless a matter of last resort, to tap into the Government’s Consolidated Fund ….We are putting things in place to ensure that everyone is included ….We are embracing all parties,” James informed.

James indicated that part of the process, at this juncture of the team’s journey, also involves creating a professional setting for the players, hence the intention to embark on fund-raising exercises. He said overall, the committee wants to leave a blueprint, which future configurations can adopt.

Meanwhile, a blunt Hillocks, in dismissing reports that they were travelling to New York to market the USA versus St Vincent and the Grenadines match on November 13 in Missouri, instead claimed that they are going “to beg”.

He noted that apart from meeting with numerous Vincentian organizations based in New York, a massive fund-raiser is slated for October 10.

Hillocks advised that other possibilities of garnering funds are being looked at in the New York area, which would be fleshed out at a later time.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has been drawn in Group C of the CONCACAF Zone, along with the USA, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago.

Following the Vincentians’ first match in this phase of the qualifiers on November 13, at the Busch Stadium, St Louis, Missouri, in the USA, they will play against Guatemala four days later here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

It was revealed at last Monday’s press conference that a half-holiday will be granted to give Vincentians an opportunity to see their team match up versus the Guatemalans.

St Vincent and the Grenadines resumes its campaign March 25, 2016, with a meeting here with Trinidad and Tobago and the reverse fixture on March 29 in Port of Spain.

The final round of the group takes place September 2, 2016 when St Vincent and the Grenadines will host the USA, to be followed by their away to Guatemala on September 6.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ berth to the fourth round came after a 6-6 aggregate draw with Guyana, having prevailed on the away goal ruling; then, they got past Aruba 3-2 on aggregate.