Tony Becca
SOME TIME this week the Government will announce Jamaica's venue for the matches it will be bidding to host during the 2007 World Cup of cricket and the people, particularly cricket fans, are awaiting the decision with bated breath - will it be a renovated Sabina Park or will it be a new stadium in Trelawny?
Listening to the debate which has been raging around the country, cricket fans, the majority it seems, are in favour of Sabina Park.
There are others, however, and especially so those in the tourist industry and those in western Jamaica, who are in favour of a new stadium in Trelawny, and before deciding where it will be, the Government should remember a few things.
Apart from the difference in cost of renovating Sabina Park and bringing it up to the required standard and building a new stadium, apart from checking if the tabled cost of US$26 million to build a new stadium is realistic, apart from remembering that a new ground will have to be passed by the ICC.
Also, apart from remembering that Sabina Park has been the home of Jamaica's cricket over the years, that it has a rich history, that it is one of the most popular grounds around the world, and that it would attract more fans than a new stadium would, the Government should look at a number of other things.
CAPITAL CITY
One is the fact, like it or not, that Kingston is the capital city, that right next to it is Portmore, and unless it would end up not being a cricket stadium but an all-purpose facility to be used by the tourist industry as a sport and entertainment centre, it just would not make sense to site what would then be the country's premier cricket ground so far away from the majority of the people.
Two is the fact, based on what people in the tourist industry said during the early stages of the debate, that as far as hotel rooms are concerned, it does not matter whether the venue is in Kingston or in Trelawny.
According to people in the industry, some 80 per cent of the rooms on the north coast will not be available due to seasonal bookings and like what is being proposed if the venue is in Kingston, cruise ships would have to be used in order to accommodate the tens of thousands of visitors that some people, probably believing that all the teams, or many teams, will be like England and will be accompanied by an army of supporters, apparently expect to flock Jamaica for the tournament.
Although a country full of tourists during the World Cup seems like wishful thinking, even if that happens to be so, bed and breakfast could help solve the problem and Kingston can deal with that.
Three is the ICC's requirement for health services - for medical attention if necessary, and Kingston, with the Kingston Public Hospital, the University Hospital and the Bustamante Children's Hospital, is obviously better equipped.
SECURITY
Four is the level of security that will be required and with Up Park Camp just up the road from Sabina Park, with Central Police Station just down the road, Kingston would be better able to set up what is needed and to deal with any problem that may arise.
Number five is the pitch, and those making the decision should remember that the World Cup is three years away and that a new pitch takes some time to settle.
In an attempt not to disappoint anyone, the Government, it is understood, is talking about bidding for two venues, and although that would mean more matches for Jamaica, although Trinidad and Tobago is planning to bid for two, and forgetting the extra cost, that could hurt West Indies cricket down the road.
INSULARITY
Lest it be forgotten, insularity is rife in the West Indies and with 13 countries bidding to be a venue, with some building new stadiums or building new ones, it would be unfair if one country gets two venues and some get none at all. While those that get two would be happy, those that get none would be very unhappy and would certainly raise hell about it.
Jamaica should bid for one venue and, after looking at everything, after listening to the Jamaica Cricket Association whose members voted 50 to two recently for Sabina Park, it should be Sabina Park.
