McKenzie slams claims of sabotage
Published:Tuesday | February 8, 2022 | 12:11 AM
MINISTER OF Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie has rejected claims that the Government undermined the national football programme by preventing spectators from attending the last two World Cup qualifying matches at the National Stadium.
McKenzie was firm in his rejection of the allegations, “This is completely malicious, reckless and unfounded. The Government of Jamaica is facilitating the responsible return of sport and social life in general, in line with the COVID-19 indicators. There is no policy to promote one sport while restricting the other,” a release from the ministry read.
McKenzie was responding to public outcry, especially on the back of an announcement that 10,000 fully vaccinated fans would be allowed to watch next month’s Gibson McCook Relays.
Some of the outcry had come from Reggae Boyz themselves, the most famous of them, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio.
“This is embarrassing, how can we achieve anything if we are battling against the people that are meant to be helping us,” read a Tweet from Antonio’s account.
McKenzie went on to reiterate his ministry’s stance on arriving at approvals.
THE REVIEW OF APPLICATION PROCESS
“The review of applications for sporting events is made by a clearly designated range of ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and this process, which is grounded in consultation and partnership, includes at all times the representatives of the stakeholders who make the applications. The most decisive factor in all cases is the rate of infection at the point at which the review is being made,” read the release.
According to McKenzie, it was he who introduced the policy of having a limited number of fully vaccinated spectators.
“The policy of having a limited number of fully vaccinated spectators at sporting events was publicly introduced by me at a news conference on November 1, 2021 to facilitate fans attending the first World Cup qualifying home game between Jamaica and the United States on November 16, 2021. The online Events Authorization System was unveiled and endorsed by my colleague ministers of Health & Wellness and Culture, Gender and Sport, as well as the president of the Jamaica Football Federation at this news conference,” he said.
However, McKenzie said, the practice had to be pulled, despite wanting the contrary.
“The reality is that the rising COVID-19 infection rates caused by the fourth wave of the virus drove the decision to have the remaining home matches played without spectators. This reality was not limited to the football programme. Permission was initially granted to the Jamaica Cricket Association to have a limited number of fully vaccinated spectators for four limited-over matches between the West Indies and Ireland held at Sabina Park between January 8 and 16, 2022. The rising infection numbers resulted in this permission being revised to have the matches proceed without spectators. Again, the review process involved the ministries, agencies and cricketing stakeholders,” read the statement.
McKenzie went on to ask the public for patience as the Government attempts to bring a sense of normality to the country, inclusive of sport.
“This Administration continues to gradually reopen the public space by facilitating sporting events, including premier league and schoolboy football. While I fully understand the disappointment of fans of any sport who wish to turn out and give their personal support, I must re-emphasise that the ability to do so depends entirely on the COVID-19 indicators and nothing else,” read the release.