Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Stadium full? How come?
A section of the crowd at Monday evening's Grand Gala (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Letters
August 9, 2018

Stadium full? How come?

Dear Editor,

The 2018 Emancipation and Independence celebrations culminated on August 6 at the National Stadium with the annual Grand Gala.

The gala spectacle featured the music and culture of Jamaica and performances of local and international artistes paying tribute to our amazing island.

Jamaica’s population stands at approximately 2.8 million and the capacity of the national stadium is approximately 25,000, which means only 1.25 per cent of the population will be able to be in the stadium at any one time.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) implemented the ticketing system as a method of crowd control, which should see patrons comfortably seated enjoying the show. This, however, was not the case, as people were standing in the walkways, sitting on the steps, and creating a safety hazard in case of emergency. The event commenced at 6:00 pm and at 7:00 pm patrons were told that the stadium had reached maximum capacity.

Now, what got hundreds of patrons outraged was that they and their families were on the outside of the fun and exciting activities with tickets in hand only to be told the stadium was full. This raises the question, made popular by the Jamaica Public Service in an advertising campaign: How come?

How come hundreds still had tickets outside with inside being full?

The JCDC has been hosting the gala for years; therefore, the expectation is that in the planning and execution each year it would be improving in every area.

The event is free to the public but millions of the public’s dollars are paid out to ensure that the event goes well.

Now the million-dollar questions: How many tickets were printed? Were there fake tickets? Did the people working at the gate cause the overload?

Whatever the answers the coordinators need to go back to the drawing board and analyse what caused the situation and apologise to the people.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Jamaican defectors to make US$300k after allegiance switch to Turkey
Latest News, Sports
Jamaican defectors to make US$300k after allegiance switch to Turkey
March 5, 2026
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Turkey says it is offering long-term financial support to recruit Jamaican and Kenyan track and field stars with the aim of w...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Garvey Maceo and Cornwall College advance in ISSA rural junior football
Football, Latest News, Sports
Garvey Maceo and Cornwall College advance in ISSA rural junior football
March 5, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Garvey Maceo High and Cornwall College are the first finalists in the ISSA Rural Area Under-14 and Under-16 football competiti...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
India beat England by seven runs in T20 World Cup semi-final
Latest News, Sports
India beat England by seven runs in T20 World Cup semi-final
March 5, 2026
MUMBAI, India (AFP) — India beat England by seven runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday despite Jacob Bethell's stunning ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Caribbean Climate & Sustainable Energy Youth Workshop 2026 ongoing in Jamaica
Latest News, News
Caribbean Climate & Sustainable Energy Youth Workshop 2026 ongoing in Jamaica
March 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Caribbean nations accelerate their transition toward renewable energy and climate resilience, young people are stepping forward...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump demands role in choosing next Iran leader, says Khamenei son ‘unacceptable’ — interview
Latest News
Trump demands role in choosing next Iran leader, says Khamenei son ‘unacceptable’ — interview
March 5, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday insisted he should have a role in picking Iran’s next supreme ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bahamas Aviation Authority probing two American Airlines near-miss incidents
Latest News, Regional
Bahamas Aviation Authority probing two American Airlines near-miss incidents
March 5, 2026
NASSAU, The Bahamas (CMC) — The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority says investigations are underway into two near-miss incidents involving American Airl...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ocho Rios High victim and alleged attacker were recent transfers to institution — principal
Latest News, News
Ocho Rios High victim and alleged attacker were recent transfers to institution — principal
March 5, 2026
ST ANN, Jamaica — Principal of Ocho Rios High School, Marvin Clowson, revealed that both students involved in a fatal altercation on the school ground...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Advocacy group urges stronger conflict resolution education after Ocho Rios High tragedy
Latest News, News
Advocacy group urges stronger conflict resolution education after Ocho Rios High tragedy
March 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Children’s advocacy group, Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF), is calling for conflict resolution to be taught and practised in scho...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct