Henry to champion RSPL land rights

Premier League Clubs Association chairman, Mike Henry, says he will be pushing clubs to acquire lands where they are based, from the government, for development.

Henry, who is also chairman of Clarendon-based outfit Humble Lion, said once the clubs are able to acquire these lands then they will be better able to develop and improve the value of their facilities.

“What I am saying is that, and I am using Humble Lion as an example, the land that you had there was community land and it meant more for a community centre,” Henry said at the official launch of this season’s league at Jamaica Football Federation headquarters yesterday.

“It wasn’t built to be made into a mini stadium, which we have made it into. I am saying that the lands should be transferred to the clubs at a peppercorn rent (a very small payment used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract), or outrightly sold if they can afford it at a reasonable cost.

BALANCE SHEET

“It will then be on their balance sheet because the land has value.

“I can sit with you at Humble Lion and tell you the value of the land that it is on because the land has value, and the value will go to the club, and then you put with that now, the ability for them to utilise and to raise capital.”

Henry, who is a minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, says he will be making representation to the Government on behalf of the clubs that will be seeking to acquire these lands.

“From my position of trying it, I will be throwing it to the government and the prime minister to look at it, overall,” he said. “Most of the lands are usually in the national land agency or in the parish council, so you can move the land to peppercorn rent and allow them to use them to develop sports in their area.”

The Red Stripe Premier League competition is set to kick off on Sunday, and Henry said he is looking forward to a very intriguing season.

“My expectations are for an exciting year, and a very interesting year, as we build out our audience base,” he said.