By Neil-Monticelli Harley-Rüdd
Michael Ricketts, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, will make a decision next week as to whether the new Red Strip Premier League season can kick-off next month.
With Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz lined up to tackle hosts Saudi Arabi next month, the provisional start of the island’s top flight football season on November 14 remains in the balance.
The 2020-2021 campaign starting date is waiting for government approval following a sudden surge of coronavirus cases on top of a cluster of positive results for COVID-19 at The Golden Age Home in Vineyard Town, Kingston.
With Jamaica recording a total number of coronavirus cases of 8,445, and 174 deaths, as of October 20, the JFF have submitted revised safety protocols to the top tier teams, CONCACAF and the Minster of Health.
Ricketts explained: “Regarding the start of the Red Stripe National Premier League, the minister [Minister of Health’s Dr Christopher Tufton] outlined the concerns regarding the present state of the virus and the community spread.
“Importantly, the minister indicated how high sports was valued and committed to having the ministry’s medical and technical personnel review revised protocols urgently, with a view to giving a response next week.”
The JFF are also waiting for a response from the government in relation to preparing for the pair of international friendlies in Saudi Arabia on November 14 and 17, scheduled to be played at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh. These matches would kick-off the Boyz’ preparations for FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Jamaica’s head coach Theodore Whitmore, has been looking, albeit from a distance, at bringing in fresh faces from overseas – from both Europe and North America – as he attempts to strengthen his squad ahead of next June’s initial World Cup qualifiers.