PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has expressed disgust and outrage at the level of wanton destruction that recently took place at the National Stadium in Kingston.
The Prime Minister, who was speaking last week while on tour of a new indoor court facility being constructed at Stadium West, said that the behaviour of spectators, at the recently held Boys' and Girls' Championships, was in sharp contrast to the excellent performances by the athletes who took part.
DAMAGE DURING CHAMPS
During the Championships, according to Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) president, Clement Radcliffe, spectators damaged bathroom fixtures and defaced walls and handrails in the grandstand. Doreen O'Connor, corporate communications officer at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), confirmed last month that there was also damage to some seats.
Mr. Patterson said that, though the Stadium is managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), "it belongs to the people of Jamaica and they should treat it with care and respect". He stated that the new facility, which is being constructed at a cost of US$6 million, with joint financing from the Jamaican Government and the Export Development Corporation of Canada, would see measures put in place in an effort to prevent future vandalism.
GLIMMERS OF VIOLENCE
In addition to the pervasive issue of vandalism that haunted the athletics competition, there were glimmers of violence associated with the event.
There was reportedly a brawl, involving students from three prominent high schools, soon after they left the stadium on the second day of the competition. There was also an incident in which a number of boys invaded the Holy Childhood High School, purporting to be Calabar High School students.
The police also recovered 240 make-shift weapons and knives from students and other patrons at the stadium during the Championships.
