‘No more chaos’
PFJL boss promises better fan experience for JPL patrons
Published:Sunday | April 28, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
AFTER THE chaotic scenes outside the gates of Sabina Park, where patrons struggled to purchase tickets and gain access to the venue for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) quarter-finals last Monday, chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Christopher Williams is promising change.
Tomorrow, the second leg of those JPL play-off games take place at the same venue.
Williams admitted that the PFJL fell short in its execution of the first leg last week, but has assured that things are in place to ensure a more fluid process.
He noted that the number of ticket outlets has been increased.
Patrons, Williams explained, now have the option of buying presold tickets at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Bert’s Auto on Molynes Road, and Timber Lounge in Portmore.
While, at the venue, there will be two ticket buses in the vicinity of the George Headley stand.
More access points will also be available for patrons, as both the George Headley and North stands will be opened from 3 p.m.
Williams also noted that there will be an increased security presence and volunteers to assist the process.
“For the entry points, we have tripled the security both with police and private security personnel.
“By opening more stands, the crowd will have more access points, so we will not have a bottleneck.
“We are also working with a number of businesses and schools in the vicinity to coordinate parking.
“So we are way more organised. We have a full team working with volunteers who will work with us so we can operate smoothly,” he said.
The school premises will not be available for parking until 4:30 p.m. when schools are fully out.
“It is a schoolday, so we will not have access to the schools until late, when school ends and the kids have disbursed. The schools’ parking lots will be opened later at 4:30 p.m.”
Once inside, Williams promises patrons a full evening of non-stop entertainment.
“Once you are inside, we will have full entertainment, starting from 3 p.m. We will have the sponsors booths, musical juggling, and all sorts of different sponsor-engagement activities that will carry through all the way to the end of the game.
“So we have a full running order of entertainment to keep the fans engaged and chilled,” said Williams.
One of the entertainment packages included a tune-for-tune segment involving selectors from the communities of the rivalling teams in the quarter-finals.
Arnett Gardens play Portmore United at 5 p.m., and Waterhouse take on Tivoli at 8 p.m.
“We are ready. We are grateful to Jamaica for showing so much love for the product, and we are ready to take care of you Monday night.
“We will get you in (the venue) comfortably and, once you are in, between us and the ‘ballers we will keep you entertained.
“When the matches break, we will jump in, and during the matches there will be a lot of excitement. This will be epic. So come out.”