Goal Programme - Surinaamse Voetbal Bond - 2001

Football is the leading sport in Surinam. This is not surprising, as many famous players, both past and present, have roots in Surinam - Ruud Gullit (formerly of Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan and Chelsea), Frank Rijkaard (Ajax and AC Milan), Edgar Davids (Juventus), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) and Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan). The only problem is that these players chose to represent the Netherlands. This is one of the reasons why Surinam has not enjoyed any major success. Thanks to the cooperation with the Dutch FA, a number of development programmes are in place, involving an exchange of coaches or inviting Surinam teams to take part in tournaments or training camps in the Netherlands.

On 1 November 2003, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner opened the Surinam FA's headquarters and the «Emile de la Fuente» national training centre in Paramaribo, comprising accomnfor national teams, offices, seminar rooms and pitches. Goal and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme bore the cost of this new facility, which has become the centre of footballing activity in Surinam. The complex provides the ideal environment for Surinam's national teams to prepare for interlmatches. It also hosts courses held as part of long-term development programmes, as well as seminars, meetings and various other events organised by the association. «This new facility will enable us to improve the level of support for young players around the country, and also improve coaching, refereeing, administration, sports medicine, and, in fact, every area of football,» said the association's president, Krish Bhoen,during the opening ceremony.