Photos by Cameron Ponsonby

The Antigua Recreation Grounds is set to become the official home of football under a Cabinet plan to transform the historic venue into a 5,000-seat stadium using funding pledged by FIFA.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the decision during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, saying the government has opted to pursue the redevelopment of the ARG rather than wait more than five years for an entirely new football stadium.

“The Cabinet decided that the Antigua Recreation Grounds will become the home of football officially,” Merchant said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pledged funding for a football stadium during his recent visit to Antigua and Barbuda, but Merchant said Cabinet determined that constructing a new facility could take approximately five years or longer.

Instead, the government wants the FIFA funding directed towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the ARG, converting it into a 5,000-seat facility.

The proposal will now have to be discussed with FIFA and receive the organisation’s approval before work can begin.

Merchant said redeveloping the existing venue would allow work to start much sooner while ensuring the ARG remains capable of hosting other major events.

The plan is for the upgraded grounds to continue accommodating international Test cricket, Carnival activities and other cultural events in addition to football.

“Once agreed upon by FIFA in terms of providing the funding, we should have a new international renovated Antigua Recreation Grounds, particularly for football,” Merchant said.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua Recreation Grounds to Be Converted Into 5,000-Seat Football Stadium With FIFA Funding.