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Better playing fields for JPL – Williams
September 12, 2024
Christopher Williams, Chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), says they did extensive work in the off-season to ensure that the quality of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) improves in all aspects.
Williams, speaking to STAR Sports at the launch of the 2024-25 JPL season at the headquarters of sponsors Wray and Nephew in New Kingston on Tuesday night, said that they focused especially on improving playing surfaces and lighting at match venues.
"We have done a lot of work in the off-season. We have got additional coaches into the league, we have brought all the controversial figures of football into the league and we have managed to get to Dream Entertainment (who partnered with Arnett) into the league, which means the focus of entertainment will be the Jamaica Premier League," Williams outlined.
"We have a great sponsor, great coaches, great players, great pitches. When you go to the grounds you will see the work we have done in the off-season in getting the pitches up to quality standard.
"If you look at all the clubs we focused on, they have improved. Catherine Hall, Anthony Spaulding, Waterhouse, Ferdie Neita, Vere are carpets. So the pitches are ready," he said. "So come out and watch some good football, where the ball is going to roll for the youths and they can demonstrate their skill," he added.
Lighting has been a sore issue for the PFJL, with many fans complaining that the lighting at most venues, especially when viewed on television or online, is poor.
However, Williams said that they have already started addressing the issue and assured that they will eradicate that problem within the next year.
"We have to zone in on the pitches and the lighting. Lighting is something we are going to fix this year because we know you don't want to come out at three o' clock in the sun hot. So we know we have to put in the lighting, so the games can start at five (p.m.), so you can get nice, cool evenings to watch some football. So give me another year to put in the lighting," he stated.
Nevertheless, he believes Jamaicans have developed an insatiable appetite for local football and called on fans to fill the venues on match days, to make this season's JPL an even greater experience.
"Jamaicans love football. From April Jamaicans have been packing up football games, all premier league games, all national (team) games, so Jamaica is ready.
"So I am expecting 250,000 patrons to come through the turnstiles this season, as we want to double what he did last year. So Jamaica come out, it's going to be non-stop excitement and great football."
The league kicks off this Sunday with four matches.
