As we look to February 2011…
February 2011 is still five months away but it is shaping up to be a significant month on the sporting calendar for Jamaica and particularly western Jamaica.
The sporting eyes of the nation will be firmly on western Jamaica on February 12th with the annual Western Relays set to return to its home for the first time in three years as well as the start of the CONCACAF World Cup Under 17 Final here in western Jamaica.
The confirmation that western Jamaica, the Catherine Hall mini-stadium and the Trelawny Multi-purpose stadium, were approved to host the 12 teams event was made yesterday, ending months of waiting and anticipation.
No doubt this will be a massive period for sports in western Jamaica and the spin-offs, economic and otherwise will be welcomed by one and all.
After being forced to host the Western Relays in St Catherine for the past two years, the organisers were earlier this year given assurances that the Catherine Hall venue would be made available and track fans have been licking their collective chops in anticipation.
With 2011 being a World Championship year, come mid-February, preparation would have started in earnest and a number of our top athletes are expected to come to Catherine Hall.
The CONCACAF Under-17 event is also set to start that same day and while it is not anticipated that there will be a large cross- section of fans attending both events, it could pose a challenge to members of the media.
It is also hoped that given the period of time between now and then, there won’t be any unfortunate clashes of dates and venue that would rob either set of fans from enjoying the sport they love.
With just one venue offering an all-weather track but with two with football fields, it is the hope that common sense will prevail and the Western Relays would be given access to the Catherine Hall facilities and the football event can have the more spacious Trelawny venue for its opening ceremonies.
Then again as we have seen in the past, especially when it comes to sports ,common sense is not all that common, but we can hope.
