SVGFF’s building gets touch of sanctification

The building located on Grenville Street, opposite the St George’s Cathedral in Kingstown, and which stands in the name of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF,) got sanctified last Friday at a consecration ceremony held on the premises.

Performing the duties was Anglican Bishop Rt Rev Leopold Friday, who, apart from asking God’s blessing on the building, moved to each of the rooms sprinkling “holy water”.

The consecration, which was part of a wider ceremony, also heard brief remarks from second vice president of the SVGFF Marvin Fraser, director of Physical Education and Sports Nelson Hillocks and president of the SVGFF Venold Coombs.

Bought for EC$2 million, through financing from football’s world governing body, FIFA, the building has been serving as the administrative centre of the SVGFF for the past 11 months.

Equipped with conference room facilities and other offices, Fraser noted that owning the building is a big plus to the SVGFF, who for many years have had an overhead expense of rent.

Fraser observed that instead of the SVGFF paying rent, it can now collect rent from tenants.

Meanwhile, Coombs in his usual demeanour, underlined the purchase of the building as a significant chapter in his tenure as president of the national football body.

“No other sporting body in this country owns a building… A long time ago we paid two million dollars for the building and I bring the receipt and I show the country the receipt,” Coombs blurted at those who questioned the legality of the ownership.

Relating that the process of purchasing was an entire football affair, Coombs revealed that the registry “search” for the property was done by former national footballer Guy Lowe, with another national footballer Dr Linton Lewis, the SVGFF ‘s lawyer, who directed the transaction.

Last Friday’s consecration ceremony was attended by several current national footballers, as well as past players, other sporting officials and well-wishers.