Wint hopes stadium renovation won’t affect WCQ

With the refurbishing of the National Stadium expected to start next year, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dalton Wint hopes that possibility does exist to still host World Cup qualifying games at the venue.

In a recent report on April 12, Sports Minister Olivia Grange said that preparations are continuing towards the commencement of the project despite the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Additionally, she said that the Public Investment Management Secretariat (PIMSEC) received a report from consulting firm Apec consultants which is mandatory for all major projects.

Details have not been released as to the phases of construction but the project could affect World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ) scheduled for next year.

Wint says that they have been in dialogue with the ministry and is optimistic at the chance of still having games at 'The Office'.

Will be in phases

"We have had the conversation with the ministry and they have assured us that this refurbishing will be in phases to accommodate the playing of games and different activities," Wint told STAR Sports. "And so we are hopeful that we will get that opportunity to use the stadium during the refurbishing of it," he continued.

Jamaica are currently ranked fourth in the region, according to the latest world rankings, which is good enough to secure a place in the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying should they keep in the top six by June. Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras are the other countries that are on the verge of advancing to the final round as well with either Canada or El Salvador.

International matches have been played outside of Kingston, specifically in Montego Bay, but Wint says that the required ambience needed would not be reciprocated at the Montego Bay Sports Complex because of the limited capacity. He believes in the importance of having the games at the National Stadium not just from a monetary standpoint but to create the atmosphere necessary when the strongest teams travel to the island.

"We need our patrons support. Financially yes, but we need that crowd support when you play against Mexico, when you play against the United States, when you play against Costa Rica," he said.