THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE JAMAICA and West Indies Cricket Boards are creating a problem both for themselves and spectators by attempting to assign specific seats to patrons, despite the fact that all the tickets (East Wing, Centre and West Wing) are sold for the same price. As long as this policy remains then free seating is the only real option.
Persons watching from the Mound all pay the same price. Those who come early have the option of sitting under the tent or on the grass. Similarly, patrons attending events at the National Stadium pay the same price for Grandstand tickets and then choose their seats. At Boys' Champs, those who turn up early are able to choose prime seats (below the undercroft out of the sun and rain and in line with the start finish line). Those of us who are late get seats in the sun and at the far end of the Grandstand away from the finish line. Similarly, patrons who are early for football matches occupy the covered seats almost on the half line.
Why should cricket be any different? If I am early I should be able to choose my seat (the prime seat) behind the bowlers arm if I so desire, bearing in mind we are all paying the same price.
Again when one arrives at cricket, you may see friends who bought their tickets and attend independent of you. Why should one be forced to sit away from friends between two strangers when we are all paying the same price?
Take the case of one gentleman whose company gave him a ticket. He subsequently purchased one for his wife. Are you suggesting to me that he should sit in one wing and she in another, despite the fact that they came together, will have to share lunch and then go home together?
The Cricket Board needs to wise up. You cannot have a whole stand of almost 10,000 seats as a reserve stand. Select a limited number of prime seats within premium price attached and reserve these. You cannot ask all of us to pay the same price and then some guys walks in two hours late and wants to have the best seat in the house, get real!
I end with a word of warning. The George Headley Stand was divided into wings and centre in the 1980s, with the centre fetching a higher price.
They were unable to manage it then and I think they will not be able to do it now.
Even if this division is reintroduced I would advise that even with the centre costing a higher price, free seating be allowed within its confines.
I am, etc.,
GEORGE BLACK
25 Dunrobin Close
Kingston
