KINGSTON-Horace Burrell said the Jamaica Football Federation was thinking seriously about bidding to host the Under-17 World Cup in five years time.But the JFF President felt it would require a huge investment from the Government to either improve, or construct new facilities to enhance the island's bid."I think that Jamaica's football has come of age to challenge for the hosting of any of the Youth World Cups," he said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer newspaper."Trinidad & Tobago have been able to host two (youth) World Cups because they have the facilities."He said: "We certainly have the hotel accommodation, and all the other basic infrastructure; all we're lacking are the proper playing venues."I think the time has come for the Government to invest seriously in this area. They have invested in hotels and other infrastructure, and I think (the Government) has a responsibility to sports."
Burrell urged the Jamaica Government to devote more resources to the development of sports, which he felt had brought much more acclaim to the island than any other pursuit."It's high time the Government realises this, and makes serious steps to provide infrastructure for sports, and in the case of football, at least four mini-stadia are needed in all four confederations across the country."Given the rich history of Jamaica's sport, I see no reason why Jamaica cannot apply to host one of these tournaments."
Burrell noted that the island received huge accolades following its staging of the CONCACAF Under-17 boys' championship earlier this year, where the Jamaica squad qualified for the Under-17 boys' World Cup in Mexico this June and July."Prior to this, the organisers were not sure whether or not Jamaica could host, but after a few early hiccups, we rallied to show the world what we are capable of once we put our minds to it," he said."Many of the CONCACAF people who worked on that championship say they would be happy to support any application Jamaica makes for any future tournament."Jamaica staged the CONCACAF Under-17boys' tournament in Montego Bay, christening the new Catherine Hall Sports Complex. (CMC)