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Wasting the Trelawny stadium
Western Bureau
Last weekend I went up to the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium for the Jamacia Super Cricket Cup game between the Trelawny parish team and their Westmore-land counterparts, and like last year during the build-up to ICC Cricket World Cup, I was all but blown away by the beauty of the facility.
As I watched the cricketers parading their skills on the scenic outfield, instead of being elated, I found myself being overcome by a feeling of disappointment, if not sadness. My feelings had nothing to do with the quality of the game that was being played, but more so out of the acceptance that the stadium is being stifled of international cricket for no good reason.
It seems almost nonsensical that after spending US$30 million to construct this magnificent facility, which can rival some of the better cricket grounds in the world, except for the occasional curry goat-style or parish match, this excellent facility has not hosted a major cricket match of either the four-day or one-day variety since drawing such rave reviews during the World Cup.
From all indications, it would appear that the power brokers in Jamaica's cricket, inclusive of many persons who did not want to see the stadium built in Trelawny, and even went as far as to suggest that it would become a white elephant, are now hell-bent on ensuring that this facility becomes a symbol of wastefulness rather than one of pride for western Jamaica.
I am not suggesting that because the Trelawny stadium won such glowing reviews during the hosting of the World Cup opening ceremony, and is considered an exquisite facility, it should automatically take over as the venue of choice here in Jamaica. However, even if only to recoup some of the money spent on construction, I believe it should be sharing international games with Sabina Park.
Based on discussions I have had with persons familiar with the intricate details about the administration of Jamaica's cricket, it would appear that because of the economic spin-off some people get when games are played in Kingston, there is a general reluctance to having games staged at rural venues because of the selfishness of these individuals. And that view apparently holds, even when some games at Sabina Park only attract the proverbial one man and a dog.
While there are not many guarantees in life, I feel absolutely sure that, because of its strategic location between the sugar and bauxite belt - Westmoreland, St Elizabeth Trelawny, St James and St Ann - the Trelawny stadium would be a natural crowd-puller because these are traditionally strong areas when it comes to supporting cricket in general, not just international cricket.
One just need to look back at the type of support that was generated for the World Cup warm-up games at the Trelawny stadium to realise that people on the western side of the island really love their cricket. If they went out and support Kenya, the Netherlands and India, I am sure that even out of just patriotism, they would definitely go out to support Jamaica and the West Indies.
Western Bureau
Last weekend I went up to the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium for the Jamacia Super Cricket Cup game between the Trelawny parish team and their Westmore-land counterparts, and like last year during the build-up to ICC Cricket World Cup, I was all but blown away by the beauty of the facility.
As I watched the cricketers parading their skills on the scenic outfield, instead of being elated, I found myself being overcome by a feeling of disappointment, if not sadness. My feelings had nothing to do with the quality of the game that was being played, but more so out of the acceptance that the stadium is being stifled of international cricket for no good reason.
It seems almost nonsensical that after spending US$30 million to construct this magnificent facility, which can rival some of the better cricket grounds in the world, except for the occasional curry goat-style or parish match, this excellent facility has not hosted a major cricket match of either the four-day or one-day variety since drawing such rave reviews during the World Cup.
From all indications, it would appear that the power brokers in Jamaica's cricket, inclusive of many persons who did not want to see the stadium built in Trelawny, and even went as far as to suggest that it would become a white elephant, are now hell-bent on ensuring that this facility becomes a symbol of wastefulness rather than one of pride for western Jamaica.
I am not suggesting that because the Trelawny stadium won such glowing reviews during the hosting of the World Cup opening ceremony, and is considered an exquisite facility, it should automatically take over as the venue of choice here in Jamaica. However, even if only to recoup some of the money spent on construction, I believe it should be sharing international games with Sabina Park.
Based on discussions I have had with persons familiar with the intricate details about the administration of Jamaica's cricket, it would appear that because of the economic spin-off some people get when games are played in Kingston, there is a general reluctance to having games staged at rural venues because of the selfishness of these individuals. And that view apparently holds, even when some games at Sabina Park only attract the proverbial one man and a dog.
While there are not many guarantees in life, I feel absolutely sure that, because of its strategic location between the sugar and bauxite belt - Westmoreland, St Elizabeth Trelawny, St James and St Ann - the Trelawny stadium would be a natural crowd-puller because these are traditionally strong areas when it comes to supporting cricket in general, not just international cricket.
One just need to look back at the type of support that was generated for the World Cup warm-up games at the Trelawny stadium to realise that people on the western side of the island really love their cricket. If they went out and support Kenya, the Netherlands and India, I am sure that even out of just patriotism, they would definitely go out to support Jamaica and the West Indies.
Expensive upkeep
Based on the most recent reports on the maintenance situation at the Trelawny stadium, it appears to be a most expensive situation. Unless the ultimate plan is to abandon the stadium, it would make good sense to start using the facility to help generate the revenue needed for its upkeep. I am just hoping that Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange will quickly realise this.
Unlike their football counterparts, which can fairly claim that the west is not getting any international games because we lack a really suitable venue for proper revenue generation, the Jamaica Cricket Board (JCB) faces no such situation. As former West Indies captain Brian Lara said during the Cricket World Cup last year, the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium is a fantastic facility with great potential.
I am sincerely hoping that the members of the JCB from this part of the island will have the courage to speak up in support of the Trelawny stadium when venues are being decided for future international games. They should not allow themselves to be dragged into the belief that Kingston is Jamaica, and that the Trelawny facility is destined to become a white elephant.
NB. Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com
Based on the most recent reports on the maintenance situation at the Trelawny stadium, it appears to be a most expensive situation. Unless the ultimate plan is to abandon the stadium, it would make good sense to start using the facility to help generate the revenue needed for its upkeep. I am just hoping that Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange will quickly realise this.
Unlike their football counterparts, which can fairly claim that the west is not getting any international games because we lack a really suitable venue for proper revenue generation, the Jamaica Cricket Board (JCB) faces no such situation. As former West Indies captain Brian Lara said during the Cricket World Cup last year, the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium is a fantastic facility with great potential.
I am sincerely hoping that the members of the JCB from this part of the island will have the courage to speak up in support of the Trelawny stadium when venues are being decided for future international games. They should not allow themselves to be dragged into the belief that Kingston is Jamaica, and that the Trelawny facility is destined to become a white elephant.
NB. Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com
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