Downswell decries poor condition of Jarrett Park

ST JAMES, Jamaica — National Under-17 head coach Wendell Downswell has expressed disappointment with the deteriorating condition of Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, saying concerns about the playing surface forced him to relocate a scheduled practice match ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The young Reggae Boyz were expected to face Jamaica Premier League outfit Montego Bay United at the historic venue, but Downswell said the poor state of the field posed too great a risk to his players, who are preparing to represent Jamaica on football’s biggest stage at the youth level.

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“It was surprising to me that it is in such a deplorable state because the match should have been played there. If we played that match there, we wouldn’t have any player to go to the World Cup. Believe you me,” Downswell told Observer Online.