AFTER a series of issues with lighting at the National Stadium this year, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung says the region’s governing body, Concacaf, is concerned and is maintaining communication to avoid any serious consequences.

The stadium was in the news again this month when the second half of Cavalier FC’s Concacaf Caribbean Cup game with Haiti’s Real Hope was delayed by nearly 30 minutes after the light towers by the southern end of the stadium went out. Independence Park (IP) later confirmed that it was an electrical issue which was resolved shortly after.

However, less than 24 hours after that incident the lights also went before Frazsier’s Whip’s Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup game against Tigres of Mexico. The match eventually went ahead.

Those issues add to the previous incidents in 2024 when Cavalier was fined by Concacaf after it was deemed the lights were inadequate during their Champions League game against FC Cincinnati in February. The Jamaica Observer understands that the fine was around US$10,000 ($1.5 million).

The Reggae Boyz also had their World Cup qualifier against Dominican Republic in June played at 3:30 pm instead of 6:30 pm because the lights failed an inspection.

The Government spent close to $20 million to install new lights in July to ensure it met Concacaf and FIFA requirements. It met approval and this allowed Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League match against Cuba to go ahead under lights on September 6.

However, Chung told the Observer that the new issues have caused some worry.

“Concacaf has expressed that they’re concerned about the stadium and the condition of it,” he said.

“When we had the lighting issue there was quite a bit of money that was spent. The [sports] minister secured the funds and the lights were rectified, somewhat. I’ve been assured by the minister that what they’re doing is actually starting the redevelopment of the stadium, so we’re expecting things will get better from here. Certainly, the latest incident with the lights is one of concern but, given the explanation and the checks our maintenance person did, it seems to us that the situation is resolved and we’re doing everything to ensure that situation doesn’t occur again.”

Chung says there has been no word from Concacaf regarding a potential fine for Cavalier for the incident against Real Hope. In an interview with the Observer recently, IP Chairman Mike Fennell wasn’t willing to say if they would be open to helping Cavalier pay a potential fine. “I can’t speak to that at this stage. I could never speak to that at this stage,” Fennell said.

However, Chung says they should assist if there is a sanction.

“[Concacaf] have their rules written out so we’ll see what happens, but we’re certainly on the side of Cavalier with this,” he said. “If it comes, then I think that it will be unfair for Cavalier to pay the fine. I would think that if a fine occurred because of an external party then that party should assist. For example, it [external party assistance] could be the stadium is given free [to Cavalier] if that is fine, if it amounts to the amount of money that the stadium is being rented for; I think that would be the ideal situation if a fine comes. We’re hoping a fine doesn’t come.”

With the Reggae Boyz set to host Honduras on October 14 at the National Stadium, Chung says they’ll be on high alert as Concacaf may begin to lose patience.

“We’re constantly looking at it, because even Friday we went down and took some pictures of the field and everything and sent it to Concacaf, as they requested,” he said. “We’re constantly on it because the truth is that, with the Caribbean Cup games and the national senior men’s games, they’re broadcast internationally so we have to make sure that nothing goes wrong — because it’s just not the games are being affected but Jamaica and Jamaican facilities are on display internationally when we have these games.

“If we want to continue to be able to host international games, for a country like Jamaica which is the number one men’s and women’s team in the Caribbean, we have to have the facility in place and have the basic things to ensure we can host international games.”

Chung says the stadium upgrade needs to occur quickly to prevent further issues in the future.

“I’m hoping that with the development work being done on the stadium that we’ll see it much better in terms of an improved stadium facility, because that’s important. If we’re looking at using sports as one of our competitive edges and a way for us to be impacting society and earning money, we have to have a proper stadium facility in place. The work that’s being done now is something we should have done a long time ago.”