Venues need major work

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

While declaring that Jamaica are just about 30 per cent ready for next February's 12-team CONCACAF Under-17 Champion-ship, which will be staged in western Jamaica, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss, Captain Horace Burrell, is confident that the tournament will be a success.

Speaking at a press conference in Montego Bay that had representatives of CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union in attendance, Captain Burrell outlined an ambitious plan which he hopes will lead to a successful staging of the prestigious tournament, which will unfold between February 12 and 28.

"This is a very important tournament for Jamaica as it is going to offer us a glorious opportunity to qualify for the next FIFA Under-17 World Cup," said Burrell. "The top-four teams from this tournament are guaranteed a place in that tournament."

Looking at the state of readiness as he made a call for the nation to stand behind the staging of this tournament, Burrell said major works are still needed at the two selected venues (Catherine Hall Stadium and Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium) to bring them up to the required standard.

"Catherine Hall is still virgin territory and requires a lot of work to be in a state of full readiness," said Burrell. "While the Trelawny stadium is now new to major events, having already hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup's opening ceremony, the field is not at the standard we would like and will also require some major work."

In a bid to ensure that everything is in place on time, Burrell said he is seeking full-scale government cooperation and will be soliciting the assistance of Prime Minister Bruce Golding as he expects the entire nation to rally behind the JFF.

Worldwide attention

With the tournament poised to attract worldwide attention through television coverage, a local planning committee, headed by Montego Bay Mayor Charles Sinclair, has been put assembled to ensure that everything is put in place to showcase both the tournament and Jamaica.

The mayor's team will include JFF vice-president, Bruce Gaynor; Hanover FA president, Lorraine Scringer; JFF Western Confederation boss, Linnel McLean; Westmoreland FA president, Everton Tomlinson, and JFF general secretary, Horace Reid, who will be the general coordinator.

"Montego Bay plans to be a very good host so we intend to pull in all the supporting agencies to ensure that we are ready," said Sinclair. "We see this as a wonderful way to boost the drive to restore western Jamaica's football to a position of prominence."

CONCACAF's assistant general secretary, Italo Zanzi, who will be in charge of the broadcasting aspects of the tournament, said he was impressed with Montego Bay and believes a tournament in the western city will be great for television.