Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Reynald Temarii will attend the unveiling of the Cook Islands Football Association’s new 500 seat grandstand and changing rooms facility.
Temarii will share the historical ceremony on Friday (10 July 2009) with Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai.
CIFA President Lee Harmon says that the facilities are the second and third phases of FIFA’s ‘Goal Programme’ for the national football association.
The changing rooms, powered by a solar hot-water system, are designed to accommodate both players and match officials. The first phase saw the construction of the CIFA head office, national football academy and two international playing pitches, completed and opened in 2004.
Next week’s inauguration will give CIFA an autonomous capacity to provide football activities at local and international levels. The ‘Goal Programme’ was initiated by FIFA nine years ago in a move to meet the needs of national football associations around the world.
“We have come a long way within a few short years and this is testament to the vibrant partnership FIFA has with the people of the Cook Islands,” Harmon said.
“I am proud to say that football (soccer) is alive and is now part and parcel of our local communities, from the clubs here on the main island of Rarotonga, to those in the outer islands that are four-hours away by plane.”
“The opening of this grandstand makes CIFA the owner of one of only two grandstands in the Cook Islands and the other is owned by the Cook Island’s government.”
The grandstand was designed by local architectural firm Romani Designs and constructed by Landholdings Limited.
Courtesy of CIFA Media