Livingstone grateful for Bell/Ziadie award
FOR LONG-TIME vendor Douglas Livingstone, being recognised at Saturday’s Bell/Ziadie Awards was a much-welcomed surprise and honour for his small yet important contribution to local football.
Livingstone was among the four awardees at the 2021 ceremony, which honoured individuals who have made contributions to the development of football in Jamaica. The other recipients consisted of former national player Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis, former national senior men’s coach Wendell Downswell, and former player Oneil Stewart.
Livingstone has managed to earn a living from selling at various football events over the years, and while he did not expect the gratitude being shown to him on Saturday, he says he is grateful for playing a small role in local football’s progress. but also being able to support himself and his family.
“I don’t know if it was good for them, but I know that it was good for me, to be honest. It means a lot to know that as a self-employed person, you can school your children, send them through university, just through sports. That is what it’s all about,” Livingstone said.
It is not just about providing for his family, but being able to witness the action in the stands that is most appealing to him.
“That is where the enjoyment is. This is the only work which you sell, you make money and you enjoy yourself at the same time, so you don’t have to do any more entertainment again. You get two for the price of one,” Livingstone said.
However, it has been a rough road lately for Livingstone, who has not had the opportunity to continue selling at matches because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of football events with no fans has resulted in him switching lanes in order to survive.
“I didn’t pick up a big hit, I was knocked out through the pandemic. But you know that through strength, you come back. I started selling cooking gas. (It’s) not bad for now. But I won’t leave it neither.”
However, Jamaica’s upcoming World Cup qualifying game against the United States on November 16, with 5,000 fully vaccinated fans, has come at the best time for Livingstone, who says that plans are in the works for a compromise for him and other vendors to resume selling at the National Stadium, with conditions.
“(Last Friday) I was at a vendors’ meeting for the upcoming USA game. So they said we will be around the ring road, outside at the gate. As long as you can go to the patrons with your wares, that is very good,” Livingstone said.