The Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League season will be kicking off tomorrow, but not at the Wildey AstroTurf as previously scheduled.
This is because ongoing refurbishment works on the bleachers, which began last October, are not yet completed.
BFA general secretary Edwyn Wood made the confirmation to the Saturday Sun earlier this week.
“The lights are done and are fully functional, and we have been testing them occasionally. However, the seating was delayed coming out of Canada, so we had to wait for new shipment dates in the New Year.
“Fortunately we have been able to get those into the island, and the crew from Sports Systems Canada have been here for the last two weeks doing the installation with some assistance from C.O. Williams,” he explained.
Wood added that while it was a tough decision to start the season away from the Wildey facility, they could not afford the additional four-week delay for the Premier League teams.
“We really didn’t want to, but with the Williams Equipment Pre-Season Cup all wrapped up, and the new schedule from Sports Systems Canada, it meant the Premier League teams would have been without competition for another four weeks. In light of this, we decided to go to the Empire grounds, and return here after the international match,” he said.
The Premier League will see the first seven games played at Empire, Bank Hall, St Michael. Additionally, football fans who are unable to make it to the venue, would now be able to view matches live via Trident 10TV.
The national team will play their home clash against Bermuda on March 2. It is the return leg of a two-match series. Last October, after a nine-year lull, the local Tridents faced off against Bermuda in Hamilton, where 16-year-old striker Dishon “Eto” Howell, secured a magnificent brace, after replacing captain Mario Harte in the final minutes to end the match 3-2.
When quizzed on whether this match will be played at the AstroTurf, Wood said he couldn’t give a definitive answer just yet.
“I can’t say yes at this time. For tier one matches, there are certain conditions which have to be met which are set out by FIFA, and I know as of today the Wildey facility isn’t there. The BFA will make an announcement on the venue in reasonable time however,” he said. (RA)
