Supporters inside the National Stadium were treated to high-quality performances over the first two days of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs). But for some, the events weren’t the only thing on their mind as, some 1,700 miles away, the Reggae Boyz are chasing a place at the World Cup yet again.

Thousands of fans from across the island gathered to witness the opening days of Champs and created an electric atmosphere driven by results and rivalry. It was a far cry from last November when anger and disappointment filled the stadium following Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Curacao, a result that saw them miss automatic qualification for this summer’s tournament.

Present-day, Kathya Davis was showing her support for Kingston College’s athletes out on the track. However, she was already making plans to see how best she could leave the stadium and watch the Reggae Boyz take on New Caledonia in their intercontinental play-offs in Mexico.

She was in the stadium on that “dreaded” day, filled with pride and optimism that Jamaica would end their World Cup drought. It’s still there but not as strong as before.

“Confidence is such a strong word,” Davis told the Jamaica Observer. “I’m maybe 70 per cent there. I don’t know if I’m confident, but I’m hopeful. I think we are going to get over the hurdle of New Caledonia. Whether we’ll get over the hurdle of Democratic Republic of Congo really depends on how we play in that game so I’m hoping that it will all come together for our country.”

Donovan Adams, a Wolmer’s Boys’ alum, wasn’t as torn as Davis. He says his interest in the national senior men’s team faded over the years. It’s why he has little expectations of them in the play-offs.

“I think Jamaica squandered the chance of going to the World Cup because this was the easiest chance,” Adams said. “It’s going to be difficult for them now because they have now two hurdles and they got the easiest hurdle and didn’t get over it. But I wish them all the luck,” he said.

Marsden Palmer, who supports Excelsior High, told the Observer he has a connection to the national team through former defender Ladale Richie, who had 20 caps.

He’s hoping that head coach Rudolph Speid and his group can make it all work.

“I love my country and love the Reggae Boyz. I’m confident they can qualify if they go out there and put the country on their backs,” Palmer said. “We need all hands on deck to win and get to the World Cup.”

Regardless of what happens over the next week, Adams says Jamaica’s football programme will need to take a page out of athletics and place more focus on development.

“When you look at the facilities that we do have, I don’t think the facilities are adequate enough. I think the players need something to substantiate them going forward and we all know what it is – money. I don’t think things will change for Jamaica like when they qualified in 1998 and it’s going to be difficult for it to change. We need to start at the grass roots.”

— Daniel Blake