Fighting Kingsmen need bigger crowd

Operators of the local franchise are banking on the Jamaica Kingsmen’s fighting display on Tuesday to boost fan support for tonight’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Some 3,500 fans passed through the turnstiles on Tuesday as CPL action returned to Sabina Park for the first time since 2019, a far cry from the massive crowds once enjoyed by the now-defunct Jamaica Tallawahs.

However, Head of Franchise Operations Atishai Mansingh is confident that Tuesday’s spirited effort in defeat will help endear the Kingsmen to local supporters.

“We’re aware of the state of cricket in Jamaica, and I think for a Tuesday, we’re actually quite happy and positive with the response that we got from the local people. Some may argue that our marketing may not have been the greatest, and one would say that maybe we should have had a bit more out there, but I still think for a Tuesday, in particular, for a sport that one could consider dead, we are grateful for the people that came out. And I think the product that they saw, even though we lost, just showcases what the Jamaican spirit is about. It was a never-say-die attitude that we saw from our local people and a legend of Andre Russell and a junior in Vitel Lawes,” Mansingh told The Gleaner.

On Tuesday, some fans pointed to ticket prices as a possible factor behind the relatively modest attendance.

Tickets range from $1,600 for the George Headley Stand to between $2,000 and $2,500 for the North Stand, with higher-priced options available in premium areas, including party stands and VIP sections.

‘Cheapest tickets’

But Mansingh believes the prices are competitive.

“We actually pride ourselves on having the cheapest tickets across all CPL franchises. If you look at the CPL costs and even the West Indies costs, no ticket for CPL was that cheap. I mean, starting from US$10 and up, you never have really had that for a T20 series, even for when Sri Lanka was just here in June. So we do think that we purposely set the prices this low, especially for a product like CPL, because we wanted to welcome back the Jamaican people to Sabina Park for CPL,” argued Mansingh.

Avid cricket fan Paul was among those who felt economics played a role in the turnout.

“The price kinda too big, and part of your enjoyment is when other people are here, and there is a crowd and there is a buzz. And when the stands kinda empty, you nuh feel like you getting that vibes. I think they should lower the price. I don’t mind paying what I paid, but is a crowd you need, and we don’t have the crowd today (Tuesday).”

For some patrons, however, Tuesday’s match was as much about socialising as it was about cricket.

Stokely and Tour were among those treating the game as a night out with friends.

“I am not a big cricket fan, enuh, but is just ‘parring’ with my friends and enjoy the match and have some fun,” Stokely told The Gleaner.

Tour shared a similar view.

“Is a flex you know; me and mi bredrin dem just a have a good time and everything. I am really a footballer still, but we just go out and try enjoy ourselves, and sometimes we take in a different event and see how it is. That was the vibe today. I thought more people would come out for the T20 though. T20 is very nice. I like T20,” said Tour.

Avid cricket fan Shereen was not satisfied with the promotion surrounding the CPL’s return to Sabina Park.

“My crew here loves cricket and I got the flyer from them to say please ensure that you budget this week, so I had no choice. I thought more people would be here, but it’s the first one, so let’s give them some time. They need more advertising because what I realise, if you don’t follow cricket, you probably would have known about it closer to the time, as opposed to having time to plan for it,” she said.

Keisha attended with her cricket-loving children and acknowledged that the cost can add up for families.

“My son played prep school, high school [cricket] all through. It’s a lovely game. So we come, and we always sit right here, because I can see the wicket in full and also, it’s not as crowded, and there is a nice breeze and it’s a good vibes. You know the cost for everybody to come; it adds up one-one, because I have six of us, and all of them love cricket as well,” Keisha said.

Mansingh told The Gleaner that the franchise will be ramping up its marketing efforts for the three remaining matches at Sabina Park.

“So you know, social media, newspaper articles, radio ads; we are going to boost a lot more of that over the next, basically, week that we’re playing at Sabina Park. We do think that after match day one on Tuesday, that there is a bit more of a buzz within the country about CPL. It allowed us also to be able to iron out some kinks that we had operationally,” said Mansingh.

The Kingsmen will face the Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday before taking on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots next Tuesday.