THE EDITOR, Sir:I WISH to state clearly my support for the Sabina Park complex to host any matches awarded for the 2007 World Cup. My argument is based on: (a) marketability; (b) viability; (c) the cricket pitch; (d) time.
Firstly, I must deal with all the redundant arguments made by the 'Greenfield' lobby group. Parking is not an issue as no one will be allowed to park on or at the venue. Everyone will have to be bussed in, as this is the fact in the post-9/11 world.
Regarding accommodation, it's a toss-up concerning the distances vis--vis Ocho Rios/Greenfield, Ocho Rios/Kingston: MoBay/ Greenfield or Portland/Clarendon, Manchester/St. Elizabeth to Kingston. Just as the Greenfield group speaks about the new highway expected to come on stream down there, there will be a new highway from Mandela too etc., etc.
In respect to capacity, improvement can be made to Sabina to be in an equal state similar to Greenfield if and when constructed. And so the substantiative issues. The World Cup of Cricket in 2007 is about just that, cricket.
It shouldn't take an 'Einsteinian' mind to see that a Sabina Park is infinitely more marketable to the ICC and WICB than a place that may or may not be completely erected by 2007. Even if it is erected by say, mid 2006, how will it be marketed to cricket enthusiasts. Let us not forget, it is not a tourist World Cup, it's a Cricket World Cup. The tourism aspect is secondary to the primary goal of staging the matches. It is entirely possible for 25,000 to fill the Sabina Park ground in a World Cup match without a single tourist being present. As it is we need more matches for Sabina than less.
VIABILITY
Then there is the issue of viability. World Cups and mass sporting events have not been traditionally placed in large, urban centres and capitals on a matter of whimsy. Any improvement done to Sabina Park will have less maintenance costs in the long run because of the location and conversion potential as well as the yearly cricket agenda.
With Greenfield after 2007 then what we face is that even with all the 'pie in the sky' plans there needs to be a critical mass of people resident around such a facility to sustain it for the long term. The Greenfield group should take note of the National Stadium complex despite even the presence of critical mass in Kingston. Sabina Park has low maintenance costs.
Then there is the cricket pitch. What sort of cricket pitch are the ICC and world cricketing nations to expect in/at Greenfield in 2007? How will they assess it, by track record or history? What knowledge and planning can be executed by teams regarding the pitch, bounce, it's true nature? How many matches will be staged on it before it is to be used at the World Cup?
Then there is time. Do we have enough time (two and a half years to do all that at Greenfield which would be akin to reinventing the wheel?) Despite the Kingston Cricket Club's chequered past, this is not a time for vendettas to guide such a momentous decision.
I am, etc.,
O'NEIL BROWN
Attorney-at-law
Savanna-la-Mar
... Second the motion
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE DISCUSSION as to the suitable venue of the cricket ground on which the World Cup match(es) could be played in Jamaica seems without much merit for the following reasons:
1. Sabina Park is already a cricket ground of Test match level whereas the proposed Greenfield site in Trelawny is just a bit of land to which nothing has been done towards making it a cricket venue, perhaps not even yet surveyed. If selected as the venue, what guarantee will Jamaica have that it will meet the standards of Test Match ground. The result could have been embarrassing and could mean a loss with Jamaica not getting any of the games.
2. Sabina Park already has the staff that for years has been keeping the grounds at Test match standard, even as it is now doing for the upcoming English tour. Has the lobby group from the west any such capable staff to bring Greenfield to test match standard from scratch? If so, why have they failed to maintain Jarrett Park at the level required to hold Red Stripe and Carib Beer matches?
3. The Jamaica Cricket Board, as the official organisers of cricket in Jamaica, has over the numerous years that Test cricket has been played in the island, shown its efficiency in successfully running Test matches. The proposers of Greenfield have no such experience.
4. Because of the already earned approval of ground facilities and expertise in management it is not difficult to understand why all World Cup matches have been held at Test match venues.
5. As far as I am aware, most Test match grounds are owned by private members' clubs. This by way of ensuring that the grounds are properly maintained as cricket boards throughout the world are not structured to own and maintain grounds on a day-to-day basis.
6. If we are allotted any of the matches, the participating teams will need to have practice sessions. Only the Corporate Area and St. Catherine can provide these facilities by way of the Senior Cup grounds such as Melbourne, Kensington, Lucas, the University and Chedwin Park. There are no such comparable facilities in Trelawny.
More than one half of the population of Jamaica resides in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine and as such has been the majority supporters of Test cricket. Taking the World Cup to Trelawny would be a slap in the face of our main supporters, remembering that there will be international cricket after.
I am, etc.,
LAKER LEVERS
e-mail:
laklevass@cwjamaica.com
Let them eat crow, Dwight
THE EDITOR, Sir:
ONCE AGAIN I see where the saying a king is without honour in his own country has meaning.
Take for instance the recent inclusion of the young and hard working cricketer Dwight Washington in the WI squad to play England. This has incurred the wrath of some commentators. Rather than offer a word of encouragement to this youngster they have chosen to be negative and take up precious space making comparisons which at this stage will only serve to discourage this lad, if he lets it.
In closing I would like to let Dwight know that he should keep on doing what he has been doing and let the selectors feel justified in their choice. Go get 'em kid.
I am etc.,
EVELYN SHELTON
E-mail: amwjam@aol.com
3631 S. King Drive
Chicago
Via Go-Jamaica.com
What's wrong with football?
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RECENT display by the Waterhouse football team and the game officiators is a clear indication of what is wrong with football in Jamaica.
1. It lacks discipline, proper management and the involvement of individuals whose desire is to see the sport grow from strength to strength and become fully professional.
These inadequacies resulted in what could have been a fatal injury of Kevin Wilson; It is also most unfortunate that one Waterhouse player was heard to say "him should a dead". Is it that winning has become everything - our only motivation for playing, to the point that we have lost respect for life?
For the love of football, I implore the relevant authorities to address the loopholes in match officiating and by extension the football fraternity at large, so as to avert any future occurrence of what was evident in Arnett's game against Waterhouse - where lives are endangered because referees failed to take charge.
Players must feel that every effort is being made to protect them, and referees owe that to them. The referees in turn must ensure fair play and be more consistent in their calls.
I love this game but refuse to remain a spectator where indiscipline reigns and poor officiating seems to be the order of the day.
I am, etc.,
S.J.
Chanel1jm@yahoo.com
