KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)-The installation of floodlights at one of the leading cricket venues in the Caribbean, Jamaica’s Sabina Park, has returned to the front burner ahead of a general election for a new executive to govern the country’s cricket association.It’s the campaign platform of a financial expert seeking to become the new president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) when elections are held here tomorrow.
CHASE Fund chief executive officer William Heaven says lights at Sabina Park tops his list of priorities if he wins the popular vote to become the country’s cricket chief.
“Without lights at Sabina Park, the development of cricket in Jamaica will not go very far,” said Heaven.
“We will not be preferred, and the other islands and places with lights will get priority over Jamaica”.
In August, plans to erect lights at the venue fell through nine days before Jamaica was scheduled to host its first match in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20.
Officials reported a breakdown in an agreement that was signed between Sabina Park Holdings, owners of the venue, through Consolidated Energy Partners, and North America light and power company, General Electric.
Lighting at Sabina Park is expected to be a main issue among the JCA’s 101 delegates when they cast ballots tomorrow.
“We cannot allow for that to happen, in our proud Jamaica land, and should I be elected, it (lighting) is something I will ensure come to fruition,” Heaven said.
“I was advised by Dr (Akshai) Mansingh, who got a call from a government minister, that they have opened up discussions with the Indian government on the lights, and we are hoping that that will go somewhere”.
The absence of floodlights at Sabina Park has ruled it out as a venue to host a number of regional and international tournaments, officials have said.
CPL organisers have issued a warning to the JCA that should it fail to implement lighting in time for the tournament’s second staging, Jamaica runs the risk of not hosting matches.
Heaven who is up against incumbent first vice-president, Milton Henry, for the position is seeking to replace outgoing president, Lyndel Wright, who has opted not to seek re-election.