Brown hedging fan future at National Stadium
INDEPENDENCE PARK Limited’s general manager, Major Desmon Brown, says that they are ready to accept the privilege and responsibility that entails welcoming fans back to the National Stadium for a major sporting event.
The Government on Thursday approved for a 5,000 spectators to watch Jamaica’s FIFA World Cup qualifying game against the United States, set for November 16.
The match will be the first event with fans at the National Stadium since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March.
Brown said that, while their initial reaction was excitement and relief, they are mindful of the importance of strict protocol compliance, awaiting the final details which are expected to be announced tomorrow.
“I am sure that this (will) lead to additional COVID-19 related requirements, so I can’t really comment until I see the details of what the approval is,” Brown told The Sunday Gleaner. “So, whatever the Government sets, we have to meet those requirements to make sure that we get back the fans in the stadium.”
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said that up to 5,000 patrons will be allowed entry into the stadium for the game.
To date, Jamaica is the only team in the eight-team Concacaf final round qualifying competition that have not had home support of their fans so far in the campaign.
Brown says that, given the implications of what the game could have for future events at Independence Park with fans, they cannot afford any mistakes in their execution and their adherence to the required protocols.
STRICT ADHERENCE
“Whatever it is the Government says, we have to ensure that it is followed, because the success or failure of this one will determine where we go forward. We are looking for everyone to work together to make sure that this one is a success, so that we can look forward to other events,” Brown said.
“We have four more qualifying games (after the USA). We have Champs (in 2022), we have track meets, we have schoolboy football coming up. So a lot will depend on the success of this event.”
Medical practitioner Dr Wykeham McNeill says that current COVID-19 numbers made it possible for such a pilot programme to be approved.
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) initially wanted 50 per cent capacity (17,500 persons) for the game, but says that 5,000 is a good starting point to assess the effectiveness of the proposed measures.
“I think that, at this point in time, from a medical point of view, what we were really looking for is to get persons vaccinated so we had some sort of herd immunity to get back to our normal lives. So this is now the first step and it is done with a certain degree of caution, which is good,” McNeill said.
“And I am sure that there is going to be not just the JFF getting it right, but I’m plenty certain that the Ministry of Health will have a hand in monitoring it, too. And then we can look and see how it plays out.”