JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) president Paul Campbell said despite the harsh economic times, sporting organisations have to try initiatives to enhance interest in their respective disciplines.

Speaking at the launch of the Supreme Ventures Sports Betting (SVSB)/JCA Cricket Festival at the Acropolis Gaming Lounge last Tuesday, Campbell said new methods have to be used to “reignite” interest in the sport.

“With the climate it’s difficult, but there are always challenges and you have to determine your approach, strategy… and work out how you’re going to manage that. Then once you plan well and get a value proposition for your partners, you can stage events such as these,” he said.

Jamaica, Canada, Ireland and a West Indies team will engage in matches at Sabina Park, Chedwin Park, Trelawny Multi- purpose Stadium and the Port Rhoades Sports Club (formerly known as Kaiser Sports Club).

Main sponsors Supreme Ventures handed over a cheque for $5 million, while Minister of Sports Olivia Grange promised that government will fork out between one and two million dollars to assist with expenses.

Campbell insisted more funding is in the pipeline for the April 3-18 competition.

“We (the JCA) have a whole lot of negotiation going on with interested parties, so the hope is that within short order we’ll be able to sign off on those,” he said.

While estimating that the cost of the Festival will be $22 million, Campbell said sponsorship alone will not offset expenses.

“The intention is to gain as much as possible from sponsorship, but bear in mind that there are other revenues such as… gate receipts, so when you combine both… we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to cover our budget,” he said.

Added the president: “The intention is to make a profit, but if we were to come out of this first staging and break even and we’re able to reignite the passion by way of this festival, then we would have gone a big way towards achieving our objective of re-establishing cricket as the number one sport in Jamaica.”

He said measures have already been put in place to lure other teams for future events.

Jamaica’s first game will be a three day fixture.

JCA CRICKET FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Ja vs Ireland (three-day) at Chedwin Park, April 3-5

Ja vs Ireland (50 overs) at Kaiser Bauxite, April 7

Ja vs Canada (50 overs) at Kaiser Bauxite, April 8

Ja vs Ireland (20/20) at Trelawny Stadium, April 10

West Indies vs Canada (20/20) at Trelawny Stadium, April 10

Ja vs Canada (20/20) at Trelawny Stadium, April 11

Windies vs Ireland (20/20) at Trelawny Stadium, April 11

Windies vs Canada (ODI) at Sabina Park, April 13

Windies vs Ireland (ODI) at Sabina Park, April 15

Windies vs Ireland (20/20) at Sabina Park, April 17

Windies vs Ireland (20/20) at Sabina Park, April 18