Turf management seminar set for Montego Bay

Sports surfaces in Jamaica could be in for a dramatic upgrade, if the turf management seminar being hosted at Half Moon hotel in Montego Bay today, has the desired effect organisers are hoping for.

David Mais who is one of the organisers, said they will use the seminar to inform and educate stakeholders of the various sports, on how to develop and maintain proper playing surfaces locally. There are also plans for a turf management association and to include courses in the curriculum at tertiary institutions in order to fast track the programme.

Mais noted that golf has always assisted with football surfaces and other sports but now they hope that under the turf management association they can forge stronger ties between the various sporting bodies for the single objective.

"People attached to golf have helped football and the Jamaica Football Federation from time to time, at the National Stadium, Catherine Hall, Prison Oval and more recently, the JFF Mona Technical Centre field. So there has been a collaboration between golf and football and this seminar is going to help those entities connected with sports playing surfaces," he said

Most Jamaican fields are in a deplorable state but if everything goes to plan, Mais expects to start seeing positive changes soon. He added that proper playing surfaces are necessary for quality performances from players and teams.

Sporting bodies such as Jamaica Olympic Association, Institute of Sports and the Sports Development Foundation are expected to send representatives to the seminar.