Reggae Boyz World Cup Qualifier Rescheduled to 3:30 PM
Jamaica’s World Cup qualifier against the Dominican Republic has been rescheduled to kick off at 3:30 PM on Thursday, June 6, instead of the originally planned 6:30 PM.
This change comes amid continuing efforts to upgrade the lighting at Jamaica’s National Stadium as it currently does not meet international standards.
Sports Minister Olivia Grange recently highlighted significant progress in the stadium’s lighting improvements, focusing on the installation of new LED lights on Tower Four and additional lamps on the stadium canopy.
These enhancements aim to surpass the minimum requirement of 1,000 lumens for international matches.
Despite these efforts, Major Desmon Brown, General Manager of Independence Park Limited (IPL), explained the decision to reschedule the match time in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.
“Despite efforts by Independence Park Limited (IPL) to bring the lighting levels at the National Stadium up to the standards required by CONCACAF, the World Cup qualifying football match slated for Thursday, June 6, 2024, will kickoff at 3:30 PM,” Brown stated.
The decision, influenced by broadcast requirements, was finalised on May 31. IPL had initially been notified by CONCACAF via a letter dated May 9, which stated that the lighting levels during the last CONCACAF match on February 22 were below the required 1,000 lumens. Consequently, no international night matches would be sanctioned at the National Stadium until the lighting was improved.
The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport granted IPL the authorisation to purchase new light fixtures to meet required standards while awaiting a larger reconstruction project for the National Stadium.
Acting swiftly, IPL secured and installed local lighting while awaiting additional fixtures from China, targeting an inspection date of June 4. Despite these efforts, the early kick-off time was required to fulfill broadcast needs and ensure compliance with international standards.
Operating under a ‘grandfather clause,’ the National Stadium has been permitted to host regional or international events sanctioned by FIFA or World Athletics, even though it does not meet the latest standards.
This clause allows the stadium to continue hosting events approved before the implementation of new regulations.
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