The National Stadium is ready to play host to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Under-20 Championship set to start on Friday, January 9.

The cities of Kingston and Montego Bay have been selected as host venues for the championship that will run simultaneously until January 16 when all the games will be played at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

However, CONCACAF was not happy with the state of readiness with the National Stadium in Kingston when a team inspected the venue recently.

There were fears that the poor lights at the National Stadium, dubbed ‘The Office’, was a bit of a concern for the regional organisers and Jamaica Football Federal boss Capt Horace Burrell, who became concerned.

But Major Desmon Brown, general manager of Independence Park, the operators of the National Stadium, told the Jamaica Observer that the issue has been sorted out.

“The game is going on,” said Major Brown five days before the 12-team tournament kicks off in Kingston.

“What you see there is additional work we (are) doing. We have managed to meet the requirements, but I am still not satisfied with the level in the middle,” said Brown, pointing to the top of the roof as workmen put final touches on the lights.

“So we are doing some stuff to improve that. We couldn’t do it last week because everywhere was closed down, so we got some extra bulbs today and we are trying to improve that,” he added.

Jamaica has been drawn in Group A of the tournament along with Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), Aruba, Panama, the United States and Guatemala. Group B comprises Haiti, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras and El Salvador.

The CONCACAF Under-20 Championship qualifies four teams to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand from May 30 to June 20.

The National Stadium will play host to three games per day starting January 9 when Aruba take on Panama at 3:00 pm, before USA play Guatemala at 5:00 pm and Jamaica clash with T&T at 8:00 pm.

That brings into focus the readiness of the pitch itself, which Brown said will be ready and will cope with the hectic schedule.

“It’s good. We have few little spots, nothing is perfect, but I think it is in very good condition,” said Major Brown.

Meanwhile, with the water sprinklers at full blast, workers could also be seen putting final touches on five new portable dugouts for the technical area.

These dugouts are made of fibreglass and aluminium and will offer a protection to both team benches and the fourth official just in front of the Grandstand.