BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS the local football season climaxes and players prepare for the Second Round of the CFU Caribbean Cup, the local Association is in a race against time to get the Warner Park Football Stadium prepared for the regional encounter.
With just under a month to go before the Suriname national football team invades the Federation to take on the Sugar Boys in the second round of the Caribbean Cup, a suitable venue for that game is still being pondered upon.
This comes after the final set of matches of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association Premier Division and other games were shifted to the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium in Bird Rock.
A press release issued by the Association’s marketing agency, VH Communication, explained that the shift is as a result of the deteriorating condition of the playing surface at the premier football venue in the Federation.
In explaining the reasoning behind the decision to move the matches to that venue, Manager at the Football Association Dexter Tyrell said there is a need for the ground to be rested and also for the Association to do some refurbishment to the field, "which we have already started".
Damage to the playing surface was attributed to the prolonged drought-like condition that affected the Federation and a number of neighbouring islands.
“The field is really dry and hard and in dire need of water,” Tyrell said.
He disclosed that talks with the Water Department were futile as they noted that they could not accommodate the desired amount of water requested.
“So, the wear-and-tear over a period of time has caused the field to deteriorate. However, we have put a mechanism in place so that we could refurbish the field, using a little water, some fertilization and sod. So we are hoping we can have it ready.”
An alternative venue has to be found for the St. Kitts and Nevis/Surname clash. And the only likely and suitable substitute is the Kim Collins Stadium, since the cricket field at Warner Park has been ruled out because of the tri-series involving the West Indies, Australia and South Africa.
At a press conference held earlier in the year, General Secretary Stanley Jacobs warned that contingency plans need to be in place in the event of a clash with the regional and international cricket and FIFA level football matches played in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Association is hopeful of having the field ready for the Final Four competition which is scheduled to run from May 21-28.
