Marlon Glean, President, Grenada Football Association (GFA) represented Grenada and the wider Caribbean region during a high-level panel discussion at the World Football Summit (WFS) in Hong Kong, discussing “The Future of Growth in Sports: Sharing Business Models and Sponsorship Learnings.”
President Glean used this global platform to advocate for increased investment in small football nations, highlighting the untapped potential of the Caribbean and the need for more equitable global partnerships.
Driving the Caribbean Conversation Forward
In a panel dominated by discussions of expansion and monetization, President Glean reframed the conversation to reflect the Caribbean reality of underfunding, limited sponsorship opportunities, and structural inequalities despite the region’s proven ability to produce world-class talent.
“The Caribbean is not short on passion or players. What we need is sustainable investment and greater visibility,” stated President Glean.
“Grenada and our neighbouring nations have shown we can achieve greatness with limited
resources. But this model is not sustainable. It is time we are seen, supported, and strategically funded,” he remarked during the discussion.
He shared insights into how modest investments can create massive impact in small island states. For instance, a sum that barely covers a matchday activation in a major market can fund an entire youth league in Grenada, extending the reach and power of football across communities.
GFA President Marlon Glean (left) engages in a thoughtful exchange with Yohei Kasuga, Board
Member & Chief Global Strategy Officer of Japan’s Kashima Antlers, during the panel
discussion at the World Football Summit in Hong Kong. The conversation reflected a cross
continental dialogue on inclusive growth, sustainable business models, and elevating emerging
football markets like the Caribbean within the global sports economy.
Regional Implications: A Voice for Small Federations
President Glean’s presence at WFS and his deliberate messaging have opened new conversations about the Caribbean as a growth market for global football. By highlighting examples such as Jamaica’s partnership with Adidas and referencing Grenada’s own strategic objectives, he made the case that Caribbean nations deserve a seat at the sponsorship table, not just as exporters of talent but as fertile ground for football development.
He also proposed innovative models that tie sport to social development, including:
- Leveraging diaspora engagement and storytelling for brand visibility
- Integrating football into national agendas for youth empowerment, tourism, and education
- Exploring Citizenship by Investment (CBI) as a potential funding stream for national team development, in partnership with government
Global Recognition, Local Vision
President Glean’s impact at the World Football Summit has already yielded international attention. He is scheduled to speak at Soccerex Miami and has also been invited as a guest speaker at an upcoming Football Summit in Saudi Arabia this December 2025.
These appearances are not just personal milestones; they reflect the rising stature of Grenada and the OECS region in global football policy and thought leadership.
Domestically, President Glean remains committed to advancing the GFA’s agenda, including: • Strengthening grassroots football and youth programs
- Enhancing coach education and capacity building
- Developing sustainable public-private partnerships
- Positioning Grenada as a hub for regional football development
A Turning Point for Grenada and the Region
President Glean’s participation in the World Football Summit is viewed as a transformational moment for Grenada and Caribbean football at large. By planting the flag for small nations in powerful spaces, the GFA is ensuring that the future of football includes us all.
“This is about more than Grenada,” President Glean emphasized. “It’s about reimagining the future of football development through a lens of equity, access, and innovation, where even the smallest nations can dream big and build boldly,” Glean shared.
