JFF outlines adjusted JPL kick-off times
Published:Friday | August 13, 2021 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
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General Secretary Dalton Wint says that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is committing to changes to the Jamaica Premier League schedule that are workable for all teams in light of the updated COVID-19 curfew. Prime Minister Andrew Holness...
General Secretary Dalton Wint says that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is committing to changes to the Jamaica Premier League schedule that are workable for all teams in light of the updated COVID-19 curfew.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the latest curfew times, which took effect on Wednesday, to combat the recent surge in COVID-19 cases on the island. From Mondays to Fridays, the curfew will begin at 7 p.m., 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays, until 5 a.m. The measures will expire at the end of August. Jamaica is experiencing another surge in cases, with daily reported figures currently in the triple figures.
The league already had to make adjustments to its schedule as a result of the last curfew restrictions, which ended on Monday, with games having to be played in the mornings on Sundays.
Wint says that for the rest of the month, the Saturday and Monday double-headers will start at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with the lone Sunday game to kick off at 10 a.m.
Vere United head coach Donovan Duckie was recently angered by the 8 a.m. Sunday kick-off and blamed it for the team’s 2-1 loss to Dunbeholden on August 1. Wint said that while cognisant of the challenges the adjustments have created, the JFF has received good feedback.
COACHES’ CONCERN
“It’s difficult, and we understand the concern by the coaches about recovery time and early kick-off times for some of them [who] have to be waking up early to travel to play a game,” Wint told The Gleaner. “But the clubs have been very cooperative, and they understand that circumstances are beyond our control, and so we are working together to see how best we can make this a successful season.”
On July 26, Holness moved up the curfew time from 11 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays, with a 3 p.m. curfew on Sundays, which resulted in the last two Sunday games to be played at 11 a.m. As of Wednesday, 375 new cases were reported, with the positivity rate being 31.7 per cent.
Professional Football Jamaica Limited director Chad Cunningham confirmed the changes yesterday and said that they are hoping for an ideal framework that will be acceptable for all.
“In regards to the future, all of that is still determined by the JFF, whether it is a tightening of restrictions, or a loosening of restrictions (by the Government),” Cunningham said. “They will determine what are the suitable times that we can work with. And we are working with them to get that right.”
Wint says that for now, the Saturday and Monday afternoon double-headers will be the norm and that all decisions are being made to ensure that they can still operate under the required guidelines.
Saturday’s double-header sees Molynes United taking on Cavalier then Mount Pleasant facing Waterhouse. The lone Sunday game sees Humble Lion playing Harbour View. All games this weekend are scheduled to be played at the National Stadium.