Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hagåtña: Guam Football Association has become the beneficiary of the first ever FIFA Income Generation Project through the installation of solar panels at its headquarters and technical centre.
The project, in co-operation with Yingli Solar Energy, will help the relevant authorities save up to 95 percent of the standard energy consumption and therefore increase the football body’s investment in football-specific activities.
The FIFA Executive Committee approved the FIFA Income Generation Programme in 2011, a special initiative aimed at adapting FIFA’s development activities to the changing landscape. Its main purpose is to encourage revenue creation in 50 member associations with high football development potential.
“One of the many benefits of the installation of solar panels at the Guam Football Association (GFA) National Training Center is the reduction in utility costs,” GFA President Richard Lai was quoted as saying by FIFA.com.
“With the rising cost of fuel, we felt that we had to do our part to use alternative sources of energy to help ease the strain on Guam Power Authority, which supplies electricity to homes and businesses. The solar panels are expected to produce about $81,900 worth of electricity per year, which could essentially zero out Guam FA's electricity bills. The money saved can then be allocated to other developmental programmes - whether it is one for youth, one for grassroots coaches, officials, or others.
“The solar panel project is one of our many sustainability efforts. We've seen a great reduction in costs associated with water consumption after the construction of artificial turf pitches, thanks to grants from FIFA's Goal Project programme. We expect to see similar reductions in terms of electricity costs.”
FIFA Director Member Associations and Development Thierry Regenass has noted that the first project in Guam has met the purpose of the Income Generation Programme and will directly benefit the GFA.
“The implementation of this first ever Income Generation Project in Guam is a very positive step for the GFA, who will directly benefit from the initiative, and for football in Guam, since the GFA will now be able to use some of their existing resources for football development purposes,” he said.
“And finally, for FIFA, as this type of result – saving or generating more income to allow higher investment in development – is what we aimed for when the Income Generation Programme was created.
“We will continue monitoring the results of this project, and look forward to implement other successful Income Generation initiatives.”