THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to support the views expressed in the local press by former cricketing official Pat Rousseau and others in support of the World Cup Cricket competition being held at Sabina Park in Kingston, as opposed to a proposed facility to be constructed on the north coast.
The strongest argument in favour of Sabina Park is that it is a legendary cricket ground which provides a strong pull for true cricket aficionados worldwide. Sabina is to cricket what the Alps is to skiing. So, from a marketing perspective, 'Bina' is an attractive product from the go.
Concerns about the security risks that Kingston may pose, pale into insignificance when it is remembered that over the last twelve months this city successfully hosted two international sporting competitions -World Junior Athletic Games and World Cup Netball. Kingston has built up a reputation as an international sporting capital; this is its unique asset in contrast to the product offered in the resort areas. Let's get our products and marketing strategy clear! An added point about security is that cricket fans are accustomed to travelling to risky places to watch the game. This is a hardy set, not the traditional sun, sea and sand tourist.
While I readily accept that the spectator capacity at Sabina is limited, I view this as a positive for the promoters of World Cup Cricket. There will be a strong demand for tickets; so price them right and start selling early. Over a year ago while touring Manchester United Club at Old Trafford in England, the guide explained that a tourist like me had a better chance than a local fan to purchase a ticket to see a Man U match. Locals, he said, had to be selected in advance through a lottery system to purchase a ticket to see their own team perform due to the high ticket demand. So, may I suggest to the World Cup organisers to allot a percentage of seats to visitors and locals and start selling tickets in advance.
The concerns raised about limited parking facilities at Sabina Park are valid, but not insurmountable. One obvious solution, which will promote orderly traffic management, is to have off-site parking at, say, the stadium and shuttle passengers to and from the cricket ground. That's standard arrangement at many large sporting events abroad.
I agree with Mr Rousseau that resources should be spent to significantly improve several cricket grounds for practice matches as this will be a very important criterion in the decision to hold World Cup matches in Jamaica. In addition the facilities at Sabina Park should be spruced up to World Cup standards.
Let me point out that all the resort areas on the island are likely to benefit from the influx of tourists during the staging of World Cup Cricket. So, tourist interests on the north coast need not worry.
I am, etc.,
BYRON BUCKLEY
Public Relations & Marketing Executive
