Government greenlights return of Premier League football

The Jamaican government has given approval for the resumption of Premier League football in Jamaica.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie announced the decision today following a meeting among representatives of the ministries of Health and Wellness, and Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, as well as the Premier League Clubs Association, the Jamaica Football Federation, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the Social Development Commission.

However, the minister did not disclose when the island’s premier football competition would resume.

“We have been meeting for some time to ensure that all possible mechanisms concerning the efficient prevention and management of COVID-19 are applied to all aspects of club competition, including the health and safety of players, referees and club workers and administrators. Further details regarding the starting times and the conditions under which the competitions will be held, will be disclosed at a later date,” McKenzie said in a statement.

“Even as the management of COVID-19 remains paramount, the Government is keen for sport to resume in a phased, orderly manner, consistent with the continued reduction in the country’s positivity rate. The impact of sport on social well-being and social development is well recognized, and the Government will support all efforts to promote the enjoyment of sport in the safest way possible. In this regard, the Government is actively considering applications from a range of sporting associations.”

Jamaica’s football had been suspended since March 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, there has been significant fall out in the football industry with several clubs and their players facing financial difficulty. Last month, Portmore United and Waterhouse FC withdrew from the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championships citing challenges brought on by the pandemic and the absence of Jamaica’s Premier League.

“The decision to withdraw from the Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship 2021 edition was most difficult and painful. Our players in particular look forward to these international platforms to showcase their talents. It has proven very successful over the years in providing a pathway to the international club market.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to train and play for over a year due to the pandemic and the lack of approval from the Government. Indeed, we’re devastated by this decision but we have to be prudent. We cannot compete in any competition without proper preparation, let alone a regional tournament against teams that have been in active competition. Our players have suffered tremendously over the past 13 months,” said Clive Marshall, general manager of Portmore United FC.

Players were among the most affected as, without their salaries, they were unable to meet their financial obligations.

“Quite a few of them have not been able to meet some of those responsibilities, and have had the bad fortune in some instances of having their loan being called by the bank or losing a car, or [to] get the kids what they need to do homeschooling, whether its computer devices or Internet, so it’s been a real struggle,” said Waterhouse FC President Donovan White during a television interview in February.