3 weeks ago
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Chief executive officer of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), Owen Hill, has moved to assure fans that access to the National Stadium for today’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL) Super Final will be much smoother than last year.
At last season’s final, at the same venue, there was chaos at the main entrances for both bleachers and grandstand. Fans suffered extensive delays while their tickets were scanned resulting in a pile-up and frantic scenes.
However, Hill said they are expecting a similar turnout for this year’s championship decider but they have taken steps to ensure there is not a repeat of last year’s breakdown at the gates.
“We are expecting a bumper crowd as it is a holiday. We learned from our lessons last year so we have employed a security consultant, who has managed large events and they are the ones guiding protocols.
“But we have also doubled security personnel, both police and private security, to ensure that there is a level of control,” he said.
“We know this is something we should plan for properly and our expectations are high. We just want the fans to come out and support and have a good time with no issues.”
Meanwhile, as the PFJL continues to try and expand the JPL to overseas audiences, the JPL final with be streamed for the first time on the PFJL’s online platform, Diaspora Fanatics channel on One Spot Media, and Hill said, although there is still some way to go, the signs are positive.
“We are excited about it (Diaspora Fanatics channel), we are trying to explode and unlock television which has the greatest value. We are just trying attract people outside of the country, who are very interested and want to see the game. And so far we have seen a solid enough intake.
“Obviously we are in a pilot phase. So it is not where we want it. But it is definitely the direction that we are going into and we are excited about that,” he commented.
He added that it is a mouth-watering final between the two most consistent teams in the league, and that he expects defending champions Cavalier and Mount Pleasant to put on an explosive match.
“The teams are ready. They have been exceptional all season. I expect it to be a cracker of a game, to determine who are national champions.
“It is a testament to the work that they are doing. It is a testament to the coaching improvement across the ecosystem and it is also a testament to the talent development.
“There is an inherent rivalry that they thrive on and that rivalry has given both teams the impetus to move forward.
“We are grateful because this is the best (league) in the Caribbean. And these two teams are at the pinnacle of that. They have worked tirelessly over the last nine months, and we believe this is a fitting way to decide who are the champions,” he said.
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