Coaches express contrasting views on the hosting of daCosta games at Stadium

Two daCosta Cup coaches have expressed contrasting views on the playing of the semifinals and final of the top rural schoolboys football competition at the National Stadium.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) took the decision to play the rural area deciders at the National Stadium for the first time in the competition’s 74-year history.

Although the pilot project was deemed a success by ISSA president Keith Wellington, many have continued to disapprove of the move and after losing his semifinal 6-1 to McGrath High on Wednesday, Ocho Rios High coach Veron Peterkin said he would have preferred to play the match in a rural venue.

“It’s a rural cup. We are not from the urban area and we would rather to play in our area,” Peterkin said.

He said they are prepared to play anywhere they are required to play but insisted that he and many other fans in rural Jamaica would prefer to have their final in their back- yards.

Coach of McGrath, Jermaine Thomas, however, had no issue with the daCosta Cup semifinals and final being played at the National Stadium.

“Guess what, if you put us in Negril or in Florida, we are going to play. Others might say otherwise but for me it is turning up and playing irrespective of the situation,” he reasoned.

He said fans should go out and support their schools wherever games are played. He also pointed to the large turnout of McGrath fans in attendance at their semifinal match, noting that it was a rare opportunity for many from that part of the island (Linstead, St Catherine) to visit the National Stadium.

“We got a huge, awesome turnout. They (fans) travelled all the way across the gorge to be here. It’s probably the first time some are coming to the National Stadium. So thumbs up to them and thumbs up to the school.

After getting some backlash for the move last year, Wellington described it “a huge success”, but that they will keep their options open going forward.

He said they are hoping the Montego Bay Sports Complex, which had traditionally been the venue for the daCosta Cup final, will be renovated for it to be an option again.

“We will continue to have all options available to us. The truth is, we would really love to have the rural finals at the premier venue in rural Jamaica. We will make the decision as we go along. We will not say the final will be played at ‘x’ or ‘y’. It is a dynamic situation and we will make these decisions based on what is the best interest of our stakeholders at the time,” he commented.