Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterTHE ESTIMATED 7,000 spectators that turned out to watch the Jackie-Bell semi-final at the National Stadium has pleased the organisers of the competition, KSAFA.
If KSAFA's estimates are correct, approximately 1,000 more than the 6,000 patrons that watched the Reggae Boyz play French Guiana streamed into the venue to watch Tivoli, Arnett, Waterhouse and Constant Spring face-off. But even with football in the country at a low following the less than impressive performance of the senior national team, which failed to qualify for the Germany 2006 World Cup finals, the Stewart Stephenson-led KSAFA took the bold step to play the games at 'The Office', a move they say have paid dividend.
"It is a fairly good turnout although it is a little below what I had expected," Stephenson told The Gleaner.
Approximately 2,800 patrons occupied seats in the grandstand while somewhere in the region of 4,000 sat themselves comfortably in the bleachers to witness four of the island's top teams state their claim for the $350,000 in championship money up for grabs. KSAFA General Secretary, David Hunt, believes the huge turnout was a result of excellent promotion by themselves and the sponsors.
"Western Union promoted the event well in both the print and electronic media. Adding to this also, I believe people wanted to see these top teams."
Asked if there were any reservations in selecting the National Stadium as the venue, Hunt said that "KSAFA wanted to ensure that all the spectators were comfortable but above all, it is about honouring the memory of Jackie-Bell".
Yet one spectator though threw in another reason for the appreciable turnout at the stadium.
BOYD'S DEBUT
"Mi deh yah fi si di Pearl," said Marcia Anderson, making reference to Walter Boyd, who was making his debut for Constant Spring.
Boyd, who came on as an 18th minute substitute after Dino Williams got injured, hit the post once and then set up Constant Spring's first goal. He also gave glimpses of the Boyd of old, displaying a few old tricks and then involving himself in a nasty play with Orane Simpson which saw him being yellow carded.
Despite the fact that Constant Spring failed to make it through to the final, those who missed Boyd have a chance to see him live on the February 9 in the third place play-off with Waterhouse. Hunt says he expects to see the figures swell by then when Tivoli seek to hold off the challenge of arch rivals Arnett Gardens.
