The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) had every reason to celebrate at the weekend with the inauguration of its newly completed national headquarters at Matavera on the main Island of Rarotonga.
Seven years in the making, the Cook Islands ‘House of Football’ now includes an all-purpose complex for players, officials, media and spectators as well as international-standard playing facilities and administration offices for CIFA.
No less than100 people turned out for the festivities on Saturday which included vibrant cultural performances set amongst the tropical palm trees and a backdrop of majestic volcanic peaks. Following the opening prayer, CIFA President Lee Harmon gave a stirring speech in which he said the inauguration was perhaps the most momentous occasion for the Cook Islands since the country gained FIFA recognition in 1994.
“This inauguration dawns a new day for the Cook Islands, a new day for our people and for football. These facilities will give our young people the opportunity to achieve their full potential at national and international levels – it really is a ‘Field of Dreams’,” said Harmon.
The inauguration marked the second and third phases of the Goal Programme introduced by FIFA in 1999 as an initiative of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter to elevate national football associations around the world.
Representing President Blatter
at the ceremony was FIFA Vice-President and OFC President Reynald Temarii who expressed his appreciation to CIFA for their tireless efforts to see the project through from infancy to completion.
“These objectives were shared to me by the CIFA President Lee Harmon when we met 12 years ago for the first time in Auckland, as young presidents in the Oceania Confederation. He did not stop and with the support of a very committed Executive Committee, together, they achieved. Congratulations”, said President Temarii.
Cook Islands Prime Minister, the Honourable Jim Marurai, was also on-hand as the keynote speaker to say what the football facilities meant to such a proud sporting nation.
“I congratulate CIFA and its development partners for realising this outstanding football complex. This is not the end of the road with continuing support, activities, education courses and other essential resources to look forward to. I am honoured to be here to witness the occasion and also to officially open the facilities with the FIFA Vice-President”.
FIFA Development Officer for the Oceania region Glenn Turner was full of praise for the CIFA officials, the local contractors and other partners who he says have worked together harmoniously to achieve the ambitious vision of creating a truly unique ‘House of Football’.
The ceremony concluded with an unveiling of the plaque, a blessing from Pastor Eliu Eliu and the ceremonial cutting of banana leaves before distinguished guests were given a tour of the various complex facilities.
From humble beginnings
The official ground-breaking on what is now the ‘Home of Football’ took place on 16 April 2003. With coastal land scarce and traditionally owned by families and handed down through generations, officials had spent an exhaustive two years securing the low-lying plot of land which then took months to implement underground irrigation and drainage systems.
Less than a year later on 2 April 2004, the doors of CIFA’s new home were open. The Cook Islands football community finally had a centralized facility – an important step for a country made up of island groups scattered as far as 1200km from Rarotonga.
CIFA’s administrative offices were integrated into the new building and the association amped up activities, especially in the area of development. Cook Islands may be one of FIFA’s smallest member associations with a mere 15,000 inhabitants, but it has an impressive track record of development programmes in a variety of areas including junior, youth, women’s, coaching and refereeing.
With the completion of the second and third phases of the Goal programme, the complex now has dressing rooms for players and officials, spectator tribune with covered seating for 500 people as well as media rooms and PA capabilities.
Photo gallery
A proud moment for CIFA President Lee Harmon and wife Tokoa
OFC President Reynald Temarii speaks with Cook Islands Sports Minister Ngamau Munokoa
Cook Island dancers entertain the distinguished guests
The festivities continue