Sportsmax – President of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Dr. Donovan Bennett, has expressed his appreciation to the Government of Jamaica for its financial support in upgrading Sabina Park’s lighting system and funding grassroots cricket development across the island. Speaking with Sportsmax.TV at the launch of the Melbourne Cricket Club/Pure Water 5K Run/Walk on Wednesday, Dr. Bennett also acknowledged the assistance of Sports Minister Olivia Grange in facilitating the acquisition of a state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard from India, which is expected to be installed in time for the West Indies’ home series against Australia in July.
The Jamaica Sports Minister announced at the event that funding had been earmarked for the upgrade of Sabina Park’s lights, an essential step in ensuring that the first-ever day/night Test match in Jamaica—and only the second in the Caribbean—could take place. The funding will also support grassroots cricket development, including J$40 million to enhance youth cricket and provide financial assistance to the Jamaica Scorpions Women’s team, who won the Women’s Super50 title in 2024.
Dr. Bennett emphasized the urgency of securing the first tranche of funding to ensure that the lights are installed well ahead of the series against Australia, which includes a Test match and two T20 Internationals at Sabina Park.
“We are very thankful to Minister Grange,” Dr. Bennett said. “We are just hoping that very soon we can collect the first tranche so that we can actually have the lights landed in Jamaica because time is of the essence. I am very grateful to the government, not only for the lights but also for her assistance in getting the scoreboard here.”
The installation of floodlights at Sabina Park has been a long-standing issue, affecting the venue’s ability to host night matches, a critical requirement for modern international cricket. With the lights now set for an upgrade, Sabina Park will be able to reclaim its place as a premier cricket venue in the Caribbean, capable of hosting day/night Test matches and international limited-overs fixtures.
The JCA president also addressed the highly anticipated arrival of the USD$1 million electronic scoreboard, a generous gift from the Government of India to enhance the match-day experience at Sabina Park.
“The representative from India is still not here, but they have given us a date in April to have the scoreboard installed,” Dr. Bennett confirmed.
The new electronic scoreboard will bring Sabina Park up to modern international standards, providing live match updates, player statistics, and enhanced viewing experiences for fans attending games in Jamaica.
Beyond infrastructure, Minister Grange reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cricket development, announcing that J$40 million will be allocated to the JCA to fund grassroots programmes, youth development, and financial support for the Jamaica Scorpions Women.
Dr. Bennett welcomed this initiative, emphasizing the JCA’s new approach of investing from the ground up to build a sustainable future for cricket in Jamaica.
“We are going to work from below upwards. A lot of that money will be spent on prep school, primary school, U13, and U15 cricket, both genders included,” he explained.
The JCA’s structured approach to cricket development includes a talent identification programme, pathway coaches for both male and female players, and a coaching certification initiative to introduce more Level 1 coaches into schools.
“In another five years, it will make a significant difference to the talent pool that we have in Jamaica,” Dr. Bennett added.
With the lights, scoreboard, and grassroots funding now in motion, Jamaican cricket is poised for a significant revival. The prospect of hosting a historic day/night Test match against Australia, along with a stronger pipeline for developing future cricket stars, represents a turning point for the sport in the country.
