The Grenada Football Association (GFA) will be represented on the international stage at the upcoming World Football Summit (WFS) in Hong Kong, where President Marlon Glean has been invited to participate as a guest speaker.
The summit, scheduled for 3 and 4 September, is regarded as one of the leading global forums for football leaders and stakeholders, bringing together key figures from across continents to discuss the future of the sport.
Glean’s participation at this high-level event marks a significant moment for Grenada and Caribbean football. As the only representative from a small island developing state among football giants, his presence underscores Grenada’s growing voice in shaping the evolution of the sport on and off the field.
Grenada on the global football stage
The WFS is renowned for its role in tackling the sport’s most pressing challenges, from investment and innovation to grassroots development and governance. President Glean’s inclusion on the speaker lineup reflects international recognition of his leadership and the GFA’s progressive agenda, particularly in the areas of club reform, youth empowerment, and institutional accountability.
Speaking on his involvement, Glean remarked: “It is an honour to represent Grenada at the World Football Summit. This is not just about visibility, it’s about contribution. We have valuable experiences, ideas, and challenges that deserve a place in global football conversations. I look forward to learning, sharing, and building new pathways for Grenadian football to thrive.”
Linking local impact to global dialogue
Under Glean’s leadership, the GFA has launched several landmark initiatives, most recently including:
- The GFA Club Support Programme, which distributed over EC$774,000 in direct funding and equipment to 36 clubs for the 2025–2026 season, aimed at stabilizing and professionalising grassroots football
- Capacity-building for clubs, with new personnel being appointed to support administrative and financial reporting structures in line with FIFA guidelines
- Increased focus on female football, youth scholarships, and community development through sport
These efforts align closely with the themes of the WFS, which include football’s role in social transformation, financial sustainability, and innovation in sports governance. Glean’s participation will highlight how small nations can adopt high-impact strategies to elevate their football ecosystems despite limited resources.
A step toward greater collaboration and opportunity
President Glean’s engagement at the World Football Summit is expected to create new international partnerships and foster dialogue with potential collaborators in areas such as infrastructure development, technical training, youth programmes, and club-level sponsorship.
The GFA views this moment as a stepping stone toward greater global integration, offering Grenadian football more exposure, opportunity, and credibility on the world stage.
“We cannot grow in isolation. These conversations open doors for our players, our clubs, and our country. It is time we think and act globally, while building stronger systems at home,” Glean emphasised.
The Grenada Football Association extends gratitude to the World Football Summit organisers for including President Glean in this important gathering and looks forward to the positive outcomes this representation will bring for Grenada.
GFA
