StJFA boss urges persons to stop driving on playing field

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

It would appear that the vexing social problems associated with squatting in Montego Bay has now expanded its tentacles into the sporting arena, as the playing field adjoining the Albion community is now being used as a roadway by residents of the adjoining unregulated settlement.

This unwelcome situation is not going down well with St James Football Association (StJFA) president, Texchus Nembhard, who wants to see an end to the practice, which he believes could do serious damage to one of the parish's most used football facility.

"Cars and other vehicles are being driven across the football field, even when it rains, and that is totally unacceptable," said Nembhard. "This is not something we can afford to be silent on, so I am calling on the authorities to take whatever steps are necessary to put a stop to the practice."

Serious disrepair feared

With the Albion playing field being one of the few venues in the parish that are accessible to the StJFA free of cost, Nembhard fears that if the field is allowed to fall into a state of serious disrepair and become unusable over time, such a situation could have an economic impact on the association.

"We are already short of playing fields in the parish, so if we should lose Albion it would bring an even greater strain on us," said Nembhard, noting the high cost of rental for both Jarrett Park and the Montego Bay Stadium. "We must protect and preserve Albion so I am making an urgent appeal to those who are using the field as a road to desist from doing so."

In addition to hosting StJFA games, the Albion playing field - sole venue for the Errol Campbell Community Corner League - is used for community leagues, such as the Citizen Security and Justice Programme Goals 4 Life Football Competition.

Initiator of the corner league, businessman Errol Campbell, who has been using his own funds to help preserve the Albion field over the years, said he is entirely supportive of the position taken by Nembhard.

"What is happening is a total disgrace," said Campbell. "Albion is in the parish council division of Mayor Charles Sinclair, and I would like to make an appeal to him to do something about this problem."

Campbell went on to state that because of the strategic importance of the Albion field, he would like to see a committee established to supervise the affairs of the playing field. Ultimately, he said he would like to see a concrete wall erected around the outer perimeter of the playing field.

Within recent times, Montego Bay has had horrifying experiences in regard to field maintenance. Just under two years ago, the Urban Development Committee (UDC) playing field was used as a car park during the 2010 staging of Reggae Sumfest and sustained significant damage, which sparked public outcry.

In the aftermath of the UDC situation, which had some 500 cars parked on the rain-drenched playing surface, George Evans, president of the StJFA, who had advised against using the playing field should it rain, took responsibility for the situation and resigned as president.