3 months ago
21
The quarterfinals of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) have been rescheduled for today at Sabina Park at 6 p.m. after a floodlights failure last night saw both games being postponed.
Football fans were left disappointed after what promised to be an evening of non-stop football quickly fell into disarray.
The double header, which was set to kick off the first round of action in the JPL playoffs, was postponed as two floodlights, opposite the members’ pavilion, failed to turn on throughout the night.
The opening game between Montego Bay United and Tivoli Gardens had kicked off at 6 p.m. without issue. As the night dragged on, however, only a half of the floodlights on hand would turn on, leaving a portion of the field in heavy shadows.
With lowered visibility and player-safety concerns, the referee whistled for a break in play at the 36th minute to have the issue resolved.
However, both players and fans alike grew restless as time went on without a solution in sight.
At approximately 7:15 p.m. the eventual postponement seemed all but confirmed when a loud explosive sound, later identified as a blown transformer, was heard throughout the venue.
At 8 p.m, the announcement came that the opening game was postponed but the second fixture, between Cavalier and Portmore United, was still scheduled to kick off at 8:30 p.m.
By 8:45 p.m, with no solution to the lack of lights, the decision was made that both games would be postponed to today.
Owen Hill, CEO of Professional Football Jamaica Limited, said while the situation was an unexpected concern, he was pleased to see a quick decision made by all four clubs affected.
“We had a challenge that caused us to be in a little bit of a pickle, but there was a decision that was made collectively,” he said.
“We resume the game that had to be called off prematurely and we’ll start tomorrow at 6 p.m, and the game that was due to be played late - Portmore and Cavalier - we’ll begin at 8 p.m. to make sure that parity is had and everybody is in the right position and right frame of mind.
Hill said he is confident that the issue would be resolved in time for today’s kick-off and promises a product worthy of top-flight football.
“It is an important game. We know the magnitude - it is playoffs - and we want to make sure that everybody starts at level pegging,” he said.
“I would say I am 1,000 per cent confident. The truth, and I keep saying it, it is a national event and it is a Caribbean-wide product, so all the stops will be pulled out,” he said.
DECISION TO BE MADE
Hill also said that an emergency meeting would be held to ensure that fans in attendance last night would be able to attend today’s game.
He said that a decision would be released to the public today before kick-off.
“We love the fans, and we want them to always be in support of the teams,” he added.
English (US) ·