The Bermuda Football Association has been advised that the CONCACAF Women’s Under 17 Championships in Nicaragua have been suspended.
This development follows days of civil unrest and anti-government protests in Managua, Nicaragua.
CONCACAF advised that it is in the best interest of the tournament that it be suspended and resume at a later date and possibly an alternate country.
BFA President Mark Wade and General Secretary David Sabir have been in contact with the Bermuda team and have been assured that they are all well and in no danger. They are now busy preparing to leave the country at the earliest opportunity.
BFA General Secretary Sabir had another update:
Team Manager Charryse Bean along with 2 girls has arrived in Miami this evening. They will overnight in Miami with the 2 girls departing at various times tomorrow between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to return to their school locations in the US. Charryse will remain in Miami and meet the rest of our team upon their arrival.
Originally, 3 additional girls who are also overseas in school were scheduled to depart Nicaragua today as well but were unable to get processed in time to make the flight. As result, Coach Naquita Robinson and the 3 girls are scheduled to depart Nicaragua on Tuesday morning due to no more seats being available on any of the three American Airlines flights departing on Monday. However, all attempts are being made to secure seats for them to travel with the remaining team members tomorrow per below. In any case, if they are still unable to depart Nicaragua tomorrow then once they arrive in Miami on Tuesday the 3 girls will continue on to their school destinations.
The remaining players and officials are scheduled to depart via the same travel path out of Nicaragua tomorrow (Monday) and will overnight in Miami. Charryse Bean and Naquita Robinson will meet up with the team and all will travel back home on Tuesday evening on American Airlines flight #308.
BFA Executive Council Member Shequita Parson who is also in Nicaragua as Concacaf Match Commissioner for the Tournament will depart tomorrow morning and travel via Costa Rica to Miami and should arrive back in Bermuda tomorrow night.
There are parents and possibly other supporters that traveled to Nicaragua to support the team but I do not have any details on the travel plans out of Nicaragua.
There are no safety and security concerns associated with our team remaining in Nicaragua as their hotel is away from the unrest. Our team is in the same hotel as the USA, Canada and Haiti and Concacaf tournament officials in Nicaragua continue to monitor the situation.
I will provide any necessary and relevant updates as I receive them.
