What is set to be the third global sporting event in a four-year period in The Bahamas, will grace these shores in the summer of 2017.

The 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the ninth edition, is expected to be held over a two-week period at the Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Beach Soccer and Futsal Facility at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge here in New Providence. The official dates have yet to be announced. At the official launch of the event at the Balmoral Club on Sanford Drive last night, BFA President Anton Sealey, who was instrumental in the bidding process, said that they’re very excited to be bring the sport’s premier event to The Bahamas, and for the opportunity to show the world how grand sporting events are hosted here.

It will be the first FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) global sporting event to held in The Bahamas, and by extension the caribbean region.

“The beach soccer world cup is a spectacle and those of you who haven’t witnessed a beach soccer world match, you are in for quite a treat. It’s non-stop excitement from the kickoff to the final whistle,” said Sealey. “It’s just a fun event, and not just that, but it’s a great economic boost for any country. We have a talented group of organizers who are going to put together an unbelievable event. The world relays was great for the country, and brought a tremendous level of exposure, but this is going to be the world relays on steroids. It’s going to be tremendous excitement and a lot of fun.”

A total of 16 teams from six football confederations from around the world will take part in the event. The Bahamas will participate as the host nation.

Local Organizing Committee Co-Chairman Jeffrey Beckles said that The Bahamas is going to be in the global spotlight, and they intend to put on a show for the world to see.

“Many in our local community have applauded the BFA for their commitment and their consistency as a model federation, and we want to celebrate that, because our presence here speaks to the work that they have done over the years which has landed us in the position today where we could host the beach soccer world cup in 2017. We’re planning what will be a fantastic event,” he said.

In town for the launch are two of the sport’s global executives. Jaime Yarza, FIFA Senior Manager of Futsal and Beach Soccer, said that it is a pleasure for him to be here. He said that it is their intention to make the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup the most successful beach soccer world cup in history.

“Beach soccer is the fastest growing sport in the world, and it’s indeed a pleasure to bring our premier event here,” said Yarza last night. “This sport carries a special charm and a special attraction for young people. Coming to The Bahamas is a perfect match for this event and this location. We had a fantastic event in Tahiti in 2013, and there are basically the same ingredients here - great weather and beautiful people. We are really willing to make something special happen on the island. We think that The Bahamas will have a wonderful world cup, and we certainly look forward to it.”

Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice President Joan Cusco shared those sentiments.

“It’s a privilege to be here, and we look forward to a great event. The reason why this event is here is because of Anton Sealey. He has always been the most supportive committee member and he has created a certain sympathy with everyone. A lot of the other nations pulled out of the bidding process because of Anton. The Bahamas is growing in football, and is very reliant on tourism.

“Our sport has a huge association with tourism. We like to go places where we can promote football and tourism. We like to promote entertainment and music as well, and The Bahamas is good in music. Also, we would like to work with kids to increase the popularity of the sport and help it to grow in many ways.”

Beach Soccer Worldwide is the organization responsible for the founding and growth of the association football derivative sport of beach soccer. It created a partnership with FIFA and FIFA Beach Soccer in 2005 to jointly manage the tournament as the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson said that if FIFA and Beach Soccer Worldwide are looking to combine beaches, music, football, art and entertainment, they have brought the right people to the right place at the right time.

“We have this brand, and we are the best in our class in this tourism brand. The brand is called ‘It’s Better in The Bahamas’, and it has been the number one brand in the world for about 40-50 years. What we are seeking to do now is to explain why it is better in The Bahamas,” said the minister. “We’ve always had the best sun and beautiful sea. We’re just adding one more ‘S’ to that, and that’s sports. We have launched our sports tourism brand, and it called ‘Sports in Paradise.’

“There is only one country in the world called The Bahamas and there is only one island called Paradise Island, and FIFA has been there twice. We have to congratulate Anton Sealey and his executives at the BFA for what they have done consistently over the years. We also congratulate the NSA (National Sports Authority), the Ministry of Tourism, and all who will assist in staging this grand event in paradise.

“What we really want the world to see is that the world’s fastest growing sport is bringing its premier event here to The Bahamas, and we intend to put on a show. The world will get to see why it’s better in The Bahamas. We look forward to 2017 as a watershed moment in The Bahamas and for the Caribbean and for the soccer world. It’s a match made in heaven and we thank you. You have this ministry’s and the Government of The Bahamas’ full support.”

This year, the beach soccer world cup was held at Praia da Baía in Espinho, Portugal. The host nation defeated Tahiti for the title. Prior to that, the event was held at Tahua To'ata Stadium in Papeete, Tahiti, in September 2013, and Russia won the title that year, defeating Spain in the championship match. That represented the second straight title for Russia. The beach soccer world cup is held every two years.

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