JFF elated with fans in the stands for Reggae Girlz

THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) has been given government approval to have up to 2,500 fully vaccinated fans at the grandstand of the National Stadium when the Reggae Girlz begin their quest for a second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, starting next Thursday with a Concacaf women’s qualifier preliminary-round game against Bermuda.

JFF general secretary Dalton Wint lamented the federation’s disappointment at only being allowed fans for one of the men’s five World Cup qualifying home matches.

However, he said approval for spectators would help not only give the Girlz the invaluable support of the 12th man, but the federation would be able to generate some much-needed funds for their coffers as well.

“We are extremely happy about this because we had a situation with the Boyz where we weren’t allowed to have spectators for most of their games.

“It has started out well with the Girlz. They are recent World Cup qualifiers, and it gives them the opportunity to play in front of spectators inside the National Stadium.

“This is a massive step for us because we need the support for the team to qualify. It helps with the financial situation of the JFF, and it also helps with the motivation of the players on the field,” Wint said.

Interested fans will be validated through the Government’s electronic system, which will open soon.

After validation, fans will be able to purchase tickets at a cost of $3,000. Those fans already validated can go ahead and purchase a ticket. Fans are being asked to observe strict COVID-19 protocols for the game.

Although the approval for fans in the stands is a welcome one for football supporters, some observers have accused the Government of giving preference to certain sports, namely track and field and horse racing.

They have argued that the drastic turn-around from the men’s qualifiers, where the Reggae Boyz could not get any fans for most of their World Cup qualifying games, including their most recent home matches against Mexico (January 27) and Costa Rica (February 2), is just an attempt to save face.

Those arguing for a level playing field for the various returning sports say that only a few days after the Costa Rica match it was announced that the Gibson McCook Relays had been granted approval for 10,000 spectators.

Meanwhile, Wint declared that the Girlz had been preparing well under coach Vin Blaine and that they anticipate a positive result from their opening match.

STIFF COMPETITION

“Bermuda has been performing fairly well, and they will provide stiff competition for our girls, and so we have to prepare well for them and the other teams.

“We have to be at our best in these matches to ensure that we pick up all three points and move on to the next phase of the competition,” he said.

Jamaica has been placed in Group C alongside Bermuda, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, and The Cayman Islands.

They will play two home matches and two away games. Their next game against Grenada will be away on February 20.

The two remaining games, (Dominican Republic and Cayman Islands) will be played in April.

Only the top finisher in each of the six groups will advance to the Concacaf Women’s Championship, joining the top two ranked Concacaf nations (USA and Canada) who have received a bye straight to the tournament.

The Concacaf Women’s Championship takes place in July 2022. The Championship will have eight teams grouped into two zones.

The top two finishers in each group, or the four semi-finalists, will book their place at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Head coach Blaine will announce the squad and other details at a virtual press conference today at 11:00 a.m.