ST LUCIA-Cooper will serve as the new CFU president.

CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC—Lyndon Cooper, President of the St Lucia Football Association, is the new president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

He takes over the position previously held by Barbados Football Association president Randy Harris, who opted not to seek re-election after being elected to the FIFA Council on Saturday.

Cooper, vice-president of the CFU Executive Committee for the past 13 years, was elected after running unopposed at the CFU’s 48th Ordinary Congress at the Royalton Hotel on Sunday.

The newly elected vice presidents are Michael Ricketts (Jamaica), John Krishnadath (Suriname), Jean Dartron (Guadeloupe), and Ivan Rivera (Puerto Rico).

The executive members are Glen Etienne (Dominica), Anya James (Bahamas), Gordon Connor (Anguilla), and Mark Wade of Bermuda.

During his acceptance speech, Cooper said he was committed to fostering consensus among the CFU’s 31 member associations and maintaining strong relationships with FIFA.

“We have and will continue to enhance the value we provide to our members through our initiatives and partnerships with Concacaf, FIFA, and all stakeholders.

“This collaborative spirit will define my leadership as we pool our resources instead of relinquishing them,” Cooper said.

He also emphasised the need for unity, challenging members to use football to transcend cultural barriers across the English, Dutch, French, and Spanish-speaking regions.

“As I take on this presidency, I urge everyone to use football to unite, eliminate obstacles to development, and foster relationships and alliances,” Cooper added.

Meanwhile, Harris reflected on the tremendous strides made during his tenure as CFU president, which began in 2017.

“We prioritized accountability, integrity, and transparency as our guiding principles and succeeded in this endeavor.

“I take pride in our achievements, which have enhanced both our reputation and the advancement of football in our region,” the outgoing president said.