• Submitted by: manso
• Sports
• 09 / 11 / 2010

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The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) plans to support Cuba in the construction of an artificial soccer field, FIFA representative Gregory Endelberth said.

In statements to Prensa Latina, he said the artificial grass will be installed at La Polar soccer stadium in Havana as part of the FIFA Goal project. However, its approval is still pending and will be analyzed at a FIFA meeting next October.

Endelberth recalled that the initiative is part of the celebration of the centennial of Cuban soccer in 2011. The initiative was praised by FIFA's president, Swiss Joseph Battler.

He will ask for a greater presence of the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Football Associations (CONCACAF) in soccer programs in Cuba.

Endelberth said he is confident in the development of Cuban soccer because of the talent, the work with children, the strategy of the Cuban Football Federation and the support of the authorities to get better results.

Regarding Latin American soccer he said the quality has grown, especially in South America.

Victor Aragon, vice-president of the Cuban Football Federation, announced that the 96th National Championship will have a qualifying tournament among the teams between 9th and 16th places, from Sept 20-Oct 24.

Then the second phase will be played between the first eight teams in games scheduled for every Saturday.

The clubs that make to the finals will receive reinforcements, and the champion will play at the CONCACAF Champions League, to take place in August 2011 in the Dominican Republic.

Source: Cubasi.com