Premier League teams can resume training today

Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, announced that the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) has been given the green light to resume training, during the Government's latest COVID-19 update.

However, he was quick to point out that this is not a permit for the return of competitions, as training would be monitored on a daily basis by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and local authorities, before a determination on the full return of the sport locally could be made.

"The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management is in receipt of a letter from the Premier League Association (for the league's return) and after consideration of the proposal, permission will be granted to the Jamaica Premier League to commence training, in an organised environment," he stated.

"Once the Ministry of Health has agreed on the protocols we will be working with the Jamaica Football Federation and the Premier League Association to ensure that the training is facilitated."

He revealed that the Government would monitor training daily until they are convinced the teams are ready to take the next step.

Will be monitored

"It will be monitored on a daily basis by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and local authorities. And once we are confident that there is an improvement we will look at other measures as it relates to football.

"This is not a licence for open competition, permission has been granted for training and it is organised training" he said.

He also noted that they want to give the various national teams every opportunity to succeed, especially the senior team that will be taking part in World Cup qualifiers and the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup tournament.

"We want the players to be in a position so as to be able to qualify for the necessary encounters out there.

"The World Cup and the Gold Cup are coming up and we will do everything the facilitate the sport.

"The Government will support the measures to ensure that our national teams are able to participate in international events," he said.

"In essence, the Government is giving consideration as much as possible and we are asking for assistance at a critical time when we make this decision in the interest of the country," he concluded.

No local football has been played since last March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Numerous attempts to restart have also failed.

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, the Government had suspended team training, and clubs are required to apply for permission.

Yesterday's announcement will be a major boost for the local football fraternity.