Non-arrival of lights impacted Stadium failure

JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) general secretary Dennis Chung says no effort was spared to try get lights at the National Stadium up to Concacaf standards for Jamaica’s World Cup qualifier against the Dominican Republic this afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

When The Gleaner spoke to Chung last week, he said Independence Park Limited (IPL), the operators of the National Stadium facilities, had assured the JFF that the lights required to properly cover the stadium would arrive in the island on the weekend and take two days to be installed.

However, The Gleaner understands that the lights never arrived and even the temporary replacements used to get the lighting up to the 1,000 lumens required for the game to go ahead still fell short of the mark upon inspection on Tuesday night.

‘We were trying a last-ditch effort last (Tuesday) night to send a lighting report that was done by Phase 3 (productions). Even though we had missed the deadline they had asked us to meet for the lighting, we wanted to see if they could change it.

“But the fact is that the lighting report last night was still a little below the standard.

“The average came out at about 910 lumens, and what is required is 1,000. So it still looks good to the naked eye, but for broadcasting reasons, it might have been an issue,” he explained.

He said that it is the second infrastructural issue that they have encountered at the National Stadium and that they may have to assess where they stage future home games.

“One of the things we have discussed is that we need to get certain assurances because the last time (at the Stadium), it was the state of the pitch, and now it’s the lights. So we really need to look where we play our international games.

“So before we make the commitment, we have to make sure we have the right standards in place for international games because it is very difficult to change logistics even with a month to go,” said Chung.

“But one of the options is that the Catherine Hall can be certified for international games.”

Though disappointed that the game has shifted to 3:30 in the afternoon, Chung hopes that the corporate community will allow workers the time to come out and support the team in its opening game of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

DISAPPOINTED

“We are a little disappointed because momentum has been going well. We still think we will see a lot of people come out as we are hoping that companies will allow people to come out and support the Boyz

“It’s 3:30, so let’s go at it. Six-thirty would have been an ideal time, but we are hoping that we get the word out to people.

“A lot of people have bought tickets, and we hope they really come to the game. If people choose not to come, we will have to refund them.

“So it is a disappointing turn of events for us, but we are looking for a victory nonetheless because we have a good team.”

Yesterday, Reggae Boyz coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said the late change would also affect the way his team prepares but that the coaching staff would adjust, and like Chung, he hoped fans would adjust, too.

“That changes my session today. It needs to be sharper and shorter if we play earlier tomorrow,” Hallgrimsson said before the Reggae Boyz final training session yesterday.

“But of course the game will probably have a lower tempo in the heat, especially if it is sunny like now, and I think the forecast says it will be a little cloudy or rain.

“It will affect how we play, but it will be a shame if people cannot attend the game. That will be the biggest shame of all if we play at this time because the people are at work.

“So I hope the persons in charge of companies will allow them to come and leave work early and be at the Stadium for the game at 3:30 p.m.,” Hallgrimsson said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com