Recently, the Minister of Education and Sports Croes met with the President of Arubaanse Voetbal Bond (AVB) Mr. Randolf Lacle to elaborate on different points of interest. Updates on the development of renovations of the Dakota Stadium: Since March 2023, total renovation of the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Sports Complex in Dakota has been initiated.
As the Minister Endy Croes publicly announced during his speech at the GPT Dakota Stadium on the opening date of the 2021-2022 championship.
As promised it will be fulfilled. He has always worked closely and in consultation with AVB, but also with Athletiekbond”, athletics association and different stakeholders so that everyone informs and provides their inputs regarding this great and beautiful project. Minister Endy Croes has structural meetings to take into account all aspects and demands of FIFA and WA during the renewal process.
In November will start with the track and field, which is the final part of the project. He explained to the president of the AVB that everything is running on “timing” and according to the words made in May 2023 in order to get the essential parts of the stadium could be ready in time for the Aruba national team to be able to return to play its first home game after 7 years, therefore since 2016.
The Wish from the Beginning is for in the month of October Aruba:
The national team of will play its first match of the CONCACAF Nations League back in Aruba as since 2016 the stadium is disapproved by FIFA and CONCACAF and all our national teams had to play 7 long years qualifying matches outside their country, that is, either in Curacao or in Florida. Mr. Randlolf Lacle, who has mediated several times with FIFA and CONCACAF who have explained from the beginning if the “pitch” if the turf is renewed and certified to FIFA standards, CONCACAF will procure that Aruba will find exceptions to several aspects in order to play its October 2023 matches in Aruba.
Since May the guarantee was given regarding this and sat down with the construction company and all the stakeholders to carry it out. In it, the development of the turf that will be ready before the date of October in order to have the guarantee and approval that the selection of will meet with the Virgin Islands on October 14 next in Aruba. By the end of 2023 the stadium will be completed and renovated.
Concacaf Nations League:
CONCACAF as a football association has 41 members spread over 3 leagues. This A league with 16 countries, B League with 16 countries and C League with 9 countries. Aruba falls into League C, that is, with 9 total countries spread over (3) pool of 3 countries. In this process and in accordance with great commitments with the Minister Endy Croes, the AVB was made to cross that the basic requirement of CONCACAF would be carried out before October 2023, CONCACAF took the decision after having made several “site visits” with FIFA that will allow the national team to play its qualifying match on October 14, 2023 in Aruba against Virgin Islands. As a result, from the second week of August CONCACAF sent via DHL and for the first time since 2016 back the material boxes for the official Nations League game. (see attachment). Since 2016 unfortunately these boxes were sent to Curacao or Florida. Boxes of material here consist of bibs, patches for uniform sleeves, sprays, etc.
Finally, both the AVB and the Minister of Sports were very happy with an extended meeting guaranteeing that on October 14 the Aruba Men’s National Team would play its Nations League Match here in Aruba at the GPT Stadium in Dakota. These are other tests of vision, passion, love for the sport, desire – discipline-dedication and determination to achieve what you promise. Thank you AVB patraha in continuous collaboration. Aruba is ready to come to support the Aruba men’s national team on October 14th.
