1 year ago
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Sunday’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL) final between Mount Pleasant and Cavalier at the National Stadium, with an attendance of just under 20,000 spectators, was the biggest yet under the stewardship of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), according to Chairman Christopher Williams.
Williams said making the final a memorable event instead of just a football match proved to be the right approach. However, he admitted that it was a great learning experience for him and his team and that there are many things they must improve going forward. He promised that they will be more professional in their execution when the league resumes later this year.
“Professional football is the winner. What we have professed from day one, and continue to do, is build a professional industry.
“That is what we want for Jamaica and I thank Jamaica for responding because we are not just building a league, we are building a professional industry that will have a massive long-term impact on the development of Jamaica,” he said.
However, he said there are several factors that need to come into play to make this dream a reality, but he is convinced those factors are already coming together.
“One of the factors is big gate support and we give thanks that is happening, but that’s not the only factor. We are also doing big broadcasting, people from all over the world watched the game last (Sunday) night and we are doing merchandising, and very shortly we will give some details on our replica strategy.
“So it’s a full programme and Jamaicans are responding everywhere, not just Jamaicans here. So I am very happy for the young men (players),” he continued.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that the evening did not meet all their expectations, as there are areas that need improving.
“We have a lot of work to do. This is a massive learning experience for all of us on the team because we are no longer running a football match, we are hosting a massive festival.
“We have been going non-stop for four weeks. Every Sunday was packed. We put 50,000 people through the turnstile in four weeks, and so it was a massive learning experience for us.
“We had to deal with parking, medical, support for spectators, VIPs, protocols, fire and firearms and searches and bottles.
“We had to deal with artistes and getting them in and meeting their requests and we had several artistes, and we not even start talking about football matches and the teams.
“But we have learned a lot. We have a great team of young people. They take their licks and always come back roaring and ready to rebuild.
“So no question we will be the best executors of match events by next year, because we now understand it and everybody has been giving us help and support,” he said.
Williams disclosed also that members of the PFJL team will be travelling to the Copa America football tournament in the USA in July to also learn and gain valuable experience.
“We are going to send our team to training. So they will be exposed to Concacaf during Copa (America) so they can get some experience there.
“Also FIFA will be there to support us and train our team. They love what we are doing and they are supporting us,” he said.
The night also included a half-time entertainment show with producer Rvssian and friends, and Williams said all indications are that it is a great partnership.
“Dancehall and football is a super marriage and everyone is excited about the marriage. So the JPL has exploded for us.
“It was an event and it was great. But it’s not just the live event we need to improve but also the global distribution of the event on television and social media. But we know we are not there yet but we are getting there and we will get there,” he said.
English (US) ·