As a continuation of the intense collaboration in the field of sports between Argentina and the Caribbean, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) signed a key Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of improving the practice, organization and management of football in the region.

In a formal ceremony held at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex – Cave Hill Campus the hosts of the event, Ambassador of Argentina, Gustavo Martinez Pandiani, and the Vice Chancellor of UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, shared their enthusiasm with a group of high-rank sports representatives and University authorities.

As explained by Ambassador Pandiani, the commitment of the Argentine government to help the Caribbean countries in their quest to continue professionalizing football will now include the collaboration between the two-time World Cup winner country and “one the most prestigious educational institutions in the hemisphere”, as he defined the University of the West Indies.

The MoU will foster the exchange of players, coaches, and experts in Sports and Science Applied to Football. The main areas of cooperation include: 

•           Training football management and tournaments organization;

•           Scholarships and exchange programmes;

•           Football facilities, logistics and equipment;

•           Sports medicine and anti-doping policies;

•           Seminars in football law and sports marketing.

The agreement between AFA and UWI is a new chapter of the substantive alliance between the South-American country and the Caribbean region, which already includes a Sports Cooperation Agreement formalized in Bridgetown in 2018 with Minister of Sports John King; the visit to Buenos Aires of Barbados U17 National team for a training and educational programme last December; and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between AFA, the Barbados Football Association (BFA), and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in February this year. Finally, Ambassador Pandiani announced that next June a promising Barbadian footballer, Nicoli Brathwaite, will travel to Argentina for a tryout with Premier League Club Atlético Lanús.