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Maximising football's benefits
On the Sporting Edge
On the Sporting Edge
Thursday, January 27, 2011
MOMENTUM is gaining for the fast-approaching CONCACAF Under-17 finals that will be held here in western Jamaica next month.
Twelve teams from around the region will descend on Montego Bay and Trelawny for two weeks in a bid to qualify for the age-group FIFA World Cup to be held in Mexico later this year.
Of course, the entire country and the region in particular will reap the benefits.
In addition to the teams that will be here occupying hotel rooms and using services such as restaurants and transportation, their families and supporters are also expected to be here.
The supporters of United States, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada in particular are known to travel to support their teams and the dollar value of the benefits could run into millions.
The United States team is presently in Montego Bay and will play the Jamaica team in two practice games, one today and the other Sunday at Jarrett Park. There are plans for Cuba and Haiti to hold training camps here as well.
While these will be of immediate benefit, there are also long-term pluses for the game of football here in western Jamaica.
The Montego Bay Sports Complex at Catherine Hall that will host the majority of the games is getting a lot of the attention and the installation of floodlights should be completed in the next two weeks.
The work at Catherine Hall will benefit not just football in the long run, but track and field and other events that will be staged there.
Additionally, a number of fields in St James and Trelawny, all in need of repair are getting face-lifts now as they bid to serve as training grounds during the tournament.
Jarrett Park, Elliston Wakeland Centre, the UDC field, Sea Road in Duncans, Trelawny are all being upgraded and no doubt, the teams that play in the local leagues will be thankful for the improved surfaces.
No doubt Jamaica's qualification for the World Cup — our third at the age group level should we succeed and fourth overall since 1998 - is the priority from now to the end of February.
No doubt Jamaica's qualification for the World Cup — our third at the age group level should we succeed and fourth overall since 1998 - is the priority from now to the end of February.
However, long-term benefits — such as a completed Catherine Hall stadium and the upgraded fields — will also be welcomed by all associated with football.