Shaw urges footballers to get vaccine

Wayne Shaw, president of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), is urging the local footballers and their families to go out and get vaccinated as he believes this is the only way that the sport is going to restart in Jamaica.

There have been no football competitions on the island for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in the death of over 700 people, while over 46,000 have been infected by the virus.

With over 50,000 Jamaicans vaccinated through the Government's first phase of its vaccination programme, which was rolled out across the island in March, Shaw believes that if more people receive the vaccine it would make it much easier for the Government to grant permission for the reopening of many areas in country, including football.

"Watching what is going on with COVID-19 over the last year and the devastating effect that he has had on the country, I am encouraging my footballers to go out and get vaccinated, because this seems like the only way that we are going to have the restart on football in Jamaica," said Shaw.

"I think that once a large majority of the population has been vaccinated, then it will also make it much easier for the Government to give permission for the safe return of sports in the country," he said.

The veteran administrator also pointed out that a number of persons associated with the sport have been suffering deeply financially due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

"A lot of people are suffering because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I know a lot of coaches right around the island who are out of work and are finding it very difficult to feed their families," he said.

"I am also encouraging other parish presidents to try and get their clubs and players vaccinated, because this will definitely help the restart of football in the country," Shaw said.

In the meanwhile, president of the St Ann Football Association, of Danny Beckford, said the growth and development have been suffering a lot due to the pandemic, and therefore it is important persons go out and get vaccinated for the good of the sport.

"The biggest thing with the vaccination is that it will convince the powers that be to give the go-ahead for the restart of football in Jamaica," said Beckford.

"Right now, with what is happening, the government doesn't trust the JFF to monitor the football if they give the go-ahead (for the restart), and so with the vaccine now that the government will be more receptive to go ahead for the restart of football," he said.