The Effortville Mini Stadium, home of Humble Lion Football Club, has received a welcome facelift for its spectacular progress in last year’s Red Stripe Premier League.

Thanks to China Harbour Construction Company (CHEC), the two main stands have been covered to protect fans, spectators, dignitaries and specially invited guests from the elements.

CHEC, whose home country China prides itsself as a major football contender, is keen on supporting the efforts of the club to excel in professional league football in Jamaica. In a message to the management of the club marking the completion of the project, Dr Zhimin Hu, Vice-President, CHEC Americas Division, had high praise for the club’s recent performance.

“We believe that this small gesture will boost the morale of the players while providing a more comfortable accommodation for the growing number of fans that are keen on watching the exciting prowess of this team and good competitive football,” she declared.

The May Pen, Clarendon-based team has been making waves over the past three years, moving up during successive seasons from number 10 ranked team to number one, behind league champions Arnet Gardens in the 2016 competition.

President of the club and Minister of Transport and Mining Mike Henry, in expressing thanks to CHEC for its contribution, emphasised that as the club marches forward in the national football competitions, its image, development programme and accommodation will be enhanced.

“In this regard, even as we thank CHEC for its support, we encourage them and other corporate interests to join our growing list of sponsors in our efforts to grow and develop from humble beginnings to the top tier of competitive football in Jamaica,” he said.

Manager of Humble Lion, Sheldon Holness, expressed delight at the gesture. “We have always wanted to ensure that we are well supported not only by our home base, but we are even more happy to accommodate our visitors and supporters from far and wide. This is our home and we want to be entertaining on the field and accommodating in the stands.”

Holness observed that among the items on the club’s shopping list for corporate support are repairs to the eastern stands which has “serious structural defects”; rehabilitation of the perimeter walls; a tunnel from the main gate of the playing field to the locker room facilities and an elevated media centre “specially to accommodate television and photographic” coverage.

In addition to being the home turf of Humble Lion FC, the 3,000 seat facility serves as a community facility, hosting events sponsored by the Community Security and Justice Programme, schools’ sports competitions, community fund-raising evens and other civic activities.