The Tribune

THE Bahamas Football Association has returned to competitive local soccer play with the hosting of the Love of Soccer Valentine’s Cup 8v8 Tournament that started this weekend at the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Complex.

The last competitive matches played locally were on March 15, 2020 when COVID-19 arrived on our shores, according to a BFA press release.

“Since then, the BFA and its members have been working hard at staying safe and following the government’s COVID-19 protocols. Clubs and officials are excited to return to play and are adhering to the regulations outlined in the tournament rules and regulations.

“The tournament is a vaccination event and all players, officials, organisers, referees and limited spectators had to be fully vaccinated and provide a negative antigen test to participate in the event,” said the release.

“Additionally, the event is a masked one where participants must wear masks if they are not actively involved in play on the pitch.

“Social distancing and sanitising protocols are being enforced. There were a number of spectators who watched the matches through the fence.”

The tournament format is a round robin affair of small sided games with modified times. “There were men’s, womens, under-18 boys and under-17 girls teams participants taking part in the two-weekend tournament. The 8v8 games were exciting and fast moving,” said the release.

The tournament is expected to conclude the weekend of March 6 with the playoffs and finals being held and awards being handed out at the end.

“Following this event, the Bahamas Football Association then turns their attention to the under 15 and 13 age groups.

In addition, this tournament saw the return of women’s soccer after years of non-play.