Hallgrimsson slams Jamaica’s pitches

Reggae Boyz coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, while being impressed so far with the local talent on offer in his short time in Jamaica, is adamant that the longstanding problem of improvement to the playing surfaces on the island must be addressed.

Hallgrimsson, who was speaking at a press conference to outline the Reggae Boyz international schedule in his first year in charge, detailed some of his positive assessments since his full-time arrival in January, but stated that a drawback for him was the state of the playing surfaces, which he assessed as not being conducive to perform the necessary drills modern football requires.

"It really affects and controls what kind of football is played in Jamaica. So, coming from a country that is really struggling to grow grass and trees because of cold and darkness, I am amazed that the grass pitches are not better here, and the saddest part of it is that you pass the golf courses, they are like a carpet grass, and then you come to a football pitch and you don't know what it is," Hallgrimsson said.

Since being in Jamaica, Hallgrimsson has scouted the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) for talent and has hosted a two-day training mini-camp with local players.

Arnett Gardens' coach Paul Davis criticised the playing surface at Ferdie Neita Park during their 2-1 win over Portmore United last weekend, believing that the league deserves to have pitches that will produce the brand of football that will raise the league's profile.

Hallgrimsson was of the view that high-quality players would look ordinary in the JPL, as well as local clubs having difficulty selling players with poor passing statistics because of the poor surfaces.

"If a club here would buy Lionel Messi, he would probably, in one or two weeks, be an average player, because he would need two, three touches when he is used to one touch. It is difficult for a good player to play well on bad grass," Hallgrimsson said.

"Most modern football training is passing drills. It is hardly possible to do it in Jamaica because the ball will bounce through your chest if you pass it on the ground."

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dennis Chung said that they are taking steps to address the problem, which he acknowledges is ongoing.

"We have identified the problems with the pitches and we are working on those things. The timeline is ongoing because the problems will always be there, but I think we have started that journey already in terms of correcting it," Chung said.

Meanwhile, the Reggae Boyz schedule includes a two-game series against Trinidad and Tobago on March 4 and 11, as well as an April 15 showdown with Guatemala in New York.