(NORTH MIAMI BEACH) — In Florida, the Little Haiti Football Club (LHFC) distinguishes itself as the only youth soccer organization offering free participation, driven by its commitment to philanthropy.
LHFC serves 175 children from a diverse population of underserved families in the central Miami neighborhood of Little Haiti and surrounding communities. Over the past seven years, 100% of the participants in the program have graduated from high school, and 80% went on to pursue higher education.
The club offers seven diverse programs, among them a women’s program known as the USPM Women Team. Guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, including a President and a Vice President, its success is further supported by a coaching team composed of over ten former professional footballers.
Since its inception, this Miami-based soccer organization has hosted multiple events annually. Among these, the Little Haiti Football Academy’s annual soccer tournament for youth categories stands out, featuring a diverse range of young athletes.
With financial backing from the Four Seasons Hotel, the 2024 edition of Miami-Dade County’s largest youth soccer tournament took place last Saturday, April 6, at Oak Grove Park in North Miami Beach, providing a stage for young talents to shine.
Running from noon until 6:00 PM, the event was notable not only for the athletic showcase but also for the strong familial support, as parents and relatives actively cheered on.
Players from several local teams (Little Haiti FC, North Bay Village, Miami Club Academy, and Miami United) across three different age categories: U-6, U-10, and U-12, participated in the event.
A major highlight was the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marking his inaugural visit to both a Haitian soccer program and a Florida youth tournament, where he attended to witness the young players in action.
As the tournament drew to a close, Mr. Infantino, alongside Haitian Goalkeeper Nahomie Ambroise from the Little Haiti Football Club’s Women’s United Premier Soccer League team, took great pride in distributing medals to the triumphant players of each category in the competition.
Infantino’s presence was a celebrated endorsement of the sport and the Haitian community, underscoring his vision to encourage young people to engage in soccer.
“Yes, this is my first time attending a Haitian soccer program. It’s beautiful. It’s fantastic to see all these children, boys, and girls playing soccer. That is what football is about. We congratulate the head of the organization for putting on this event. We support them, Four Seasons supports them as well,” said FIFA President in response to a question about his thoughts on the event from a reporter from Le Floridien.
“It is a great day, the sun is shining. Everyone here is having a good time. And keep playing soccer!” added Infantino who proudly posted on his official Twitter account about his visit to the Haitian soccer program academy.
“This is the first time we sponsor an event like this in Miami, and it will not be the last. We are very happy. We loved it. There will be more and more events to come, especially in support of Little Haiti FC,” said Daniela Trovato, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
She further explained, “Our decision to sponsor this event was motivated by the fact that a significant portion of our workforce is Haitian, encompassing roughly 400 families. The majority resides in this area; it’s their home. We believe it’s essential to engage with and support their community while also fostering the development of future talent and igniting their passion.”
When asked if she expected the presence of the FIFA president, Mrs. Trovato laughingly replied, “He always surprises us in many different ways. It is a great honor to have him at this event. His presence is a great motivation for Little Haiti Football Club to keep this program alive.”
Unfortunately, Don Laleau Gomez, the Academy’s President, was deeply engaged in taking down event tents and was unable to take a moment to discuss the successful event with a reporter from Le Floridien.
With the participation of the FIFA President, this tournament is set to be an unforgettable milestone for everyone involved, especially the young victors who received their medals from one of the most revered figures in soccer.
Dessalines Ferdinand
