Football Federation of Belize presents state of financial affairs
Ruperto Vicente took over as president of the Football Federation of Belize five months ago. This morning he presented a report card on the state of affairs of the organization. Vicente confirms that he inherited an organization that was financially broke but says he is putting the house in order. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The Football Federation of Belize, under the leadership of president Ruperto Vicente, has undergone major administrative changes in an effort to improve the sport of football in the country. Since the election on March sixteenth, an audit of the organization’s account was conducted and it was subsequently discovered that the F.F.B. was penniless. To exercise accountability the executive will now be putting together a finance committee which will be tasked with oversight of the organization’s expenses.
Ruperto Vicente
Ruperto Vicente, President, F.F.B.
“We’ll also have in place a financial, or finance committee, one that will oversee the finances of the Football Federation of Belize. That’s one. Secondly, we are looking at providing or working off a budget for the federation and they’re going to be line items on our budgets. For FIFA, we’re going to have to be making reports that will account for every penny spent by the Football Federation to FIFA. So FIFA has requested from us audited reports and so we will have to provide those to FIFA.”
According to Vicente, FIFA, football’s universal governing body, has been subsidizing upper level associations in Belize for the past three years. Monies, he says, that up until now were unaccounted for.
Ruperto Vicente
“Those monies had never reached the league until now. We have received thirty thousand dollars US for the top league and we have given that money to the league because that’s what we signed for and I will say that we will not keep any monies that is not ours at the federation. So that money belongs to the top league and that money has been disbursed to the top league.”
Equally crucial to rebuilding the organization’s image is the development of core principles, values that were once called to question under the previous management.
Ruperto Vicente
“On the fifteenth of this month there’s going to be an extraordinary congress and that is to approve our ethics committee. Our ethics committee must be approved by the congress because this is the committee that is going to deal with all misconducts in the Football Federation of Belize, or in the football family. So anybody, from the president to all players will be dealt with by the ethics committee.”
Beyond the financial affairs of F.F.B., however, are notable improvements to its existing facility, chiefly its football stadium in Belmopan. Remedial work was last carried out two years ago when Belize was preparing to face Trinidad & Tobago in a friendly match. Earlier this year, the facility failed an inspection conducted by CONCACAF.
Ruperto Vicente
“The stadium for the Football Federation of Belize was inspected in January of this year. We were never given that report and so when CONCACAF made a decision not to have Belize participate in this year’s Champion of Champions Tournament is because the stadium had failed the test in January and no report was made. And so, we have teamed up with the Caribbean Tires company and they are going to finance the lighting system for our stadium and so that stadium is going to be ready.”
According to Vicente, lighting at the F.F.B. Stadium is set for completion in early November. Meanwhile the organization will also be introducing inter-district competitions, as well as female tournaments. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
The F.F.B. also unveiled a program which includes media training organized by FIFA.
Bravo Mr. Vicente, you have really shown us that you have Belize Football 1st n foremost in your mind. That is the kind of leadership we need to boost our national football team….another idea I would humbly suggest is the sale of OFFICIAL BELIZE Football Jerseys, a great many patriotic citizens would be greatly interested in purchasing them
Indeed, kudos to Mr. Vicente. This is precisely what Belize Football, as well as many other institutions need…a commitment, as well as actions, which are consistent with transparency.
What I found most telling about the matter (which was stated in a different news report) is that funds have been contributed to Belize by FIFA, but this is the first instance in which they have seemingly been shared with their intended constituents.
It appears as though you are on the right track toward taking football in Belize to where it needs to be. Let’s hope that other institutions follow suit and work toward positive development.
Nesher’s suggestion about Official BELIZE football jerseys is right on target.
Keep up the good work at the FFB!
Love the idea about the jersey. would buy those in a heartbeat. I see a silver lining for football in our country. we are way better than what other countries think. Get the business community to sponsor these players. one player per business. pay these guys full time. because they deserve it. make football their life and you’ll see the difference in a few months. GO Belize!!!!1
Should not the missing monies sent to the previous administration be accounted for? Somebody has got to be held responsible for all those funds. Maximum respect to you Ruperto but, we would not consider it to be a witch hunt if you let Bertie Chimilio show the ‘football family’ how all those allocations were spent.
I have no reason to even think that you are less than upright and honest however, those arround you would be sent a clear message that there is a new Sheriff in Town and there will be no more hanky panky. Find out bout the missing money, Ruperto. Honest hearted Belizeans are demanding nothing less. Send a message and set an example for our youths.
Louisville get real man it’s been 5 years since the other party was in office what about the millions and millions of dollars from oil in this country where is it where o where has that money gone to surely not in the countries infrastructure ill tell you whey y gone Ina barrow pocket and the rest of the ministers all of a sudden all ministers in this gov. Has an overseas account check it out Louisville why you no go find those millions.
This looks like a great new direction, so bravo to Vicente and to Caribbean Tires. And sign me up for an extra large football jersey.