The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is expressing “satisfaction” with the pace of preparation for the CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup Qualifying Championship to be staged on the North Coast next month.

The JFF’s point man in the organisation of the 12-nation tournament to run from February 14-27, Horace Reid, says “we are very upbeat regarding the preparation”.

Prior to departing for Brazil where Jamaica’s team is engaged in heightened preparation for the tournament, the respected administrator said that progress has been noted on the main venues of Catherine Hall Stadium and the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, plus there was readiness of the hotels and local transportation services.

He, however, had concerns with the state of work on training facilities.

“Six are required at levels commensurate with international standards… and this has been the biggest challenge to date. Mayor Charles Sinclair, the chairman of the LOC (Local Organisation Committee), JFF vice-president Bruce Gaynor and Western Confederation chairman, Linnel McLean are working assiduously at this challenge,” Reid outlined.

Sinclair, the Mayor of Montego Bay, told the Observer last week that work was scheduled to start on five of those training fields. They are Half Moon Hotel, Elliston Wakeland, UDC, Jarrett Park and Hilton Rose Hall.

“Those venues (training grounds) are going to be worked on to be brought to the minimum (CONCACAF) standard,” Sinclair said.

Another facilities inspection by a CONCACAF team will be conducted later this month, at which time the lighting system at Catherine Hall is expected come under close scrutiny.

Also, a two-man inspection team of the US Soccer Federation should arrive in the island on Thursday to examine the facilities that their contingent will be utilising.

Reid revealed that the training of tournament staff is expected to begin “in the third week of January”.

“These training exercises are critical to the efficient running of the tournament,” explained Reid, chairman of CONCACAF’s Administration Committee.

As the LOC sits on the eve of the tournament, the zealous bid for corporate support continues and a marketing and advertising campaign is in the works and will be unveiled in short order.

“We will be rolling out our marketing and advertising campaign very early in the New Year and the work of the LOC will intensify consequently. The drive for sponsorship will also intensify,” noted Reid.

To date, Coca Cola has confirmed as an associate sponsor.

Reid sought to remind that direct spend on hotels, transportation and all the attendant services from the JFF and CONCACAF in prosecuting this event, will be in excess of US$1.2 million (J$90 million).

He pointed to the tremendous benefits of hosting the tournament to the tourism sector in particular, and as such has turned to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for help.

“We have formally requested financial assistance from the JTB as we view this venture as a positive spin off for our tourism sector and falls within the criteria for other events supported by the JTB and TEF (Tourism Enhancement Fund) in the past,” Reid said.

The successful staging of the event will not only reap financial rewards for tourism operators in the region, but will serve as fillip for the JFF in applying for future tournaments, including those at the FIFA level.

“It is instructive to point out that the success of the event will go a far way in assisting the JFF to make it’s case to CONCACAF for future events. In fact, once we are able to parade five or more high class facilities in Jamaica, the potential for hosting FIFA age-group World Cups, either gender, is realistic,” Reid concluded.

Jamaica’s Young Reggae Boyz will compete in Group C and will face Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago and Central American side Guatemala. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals.

The four semi-finalists from the CONCACAF tournament will join host Mexico as the confederation’s representatives for the FIFA World Cup in June.

Jamaica qualified for their only Under-17 World Cup back in 1999 in New Zealand, and incidentally that CONCACAF qualifying tournament was held in Montego Bay.