SDC T20 mass appeal nosedive, as competition bowls off

The popular community cricket event organised by state agency the Social Development Commission will only have 12 parishes being represented with Hanover and St James the exception.

A competition rule that only players who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are eligible to take part is at the heart of the dramatic decline in registration.

Only 24% of the population are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Health experts have cautioned that the vaccine does not prevent persons from contracting or transmitting the virus, however, a fully inoculated individual is less likely to be hospitalised or die.

Shortly after registration closed March 4, the Government of Jamaica announced on March 18 the discontinuation of all Covid-19 protocols under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA).

Before the lifting of the DRMA Act all sporting competitions are pre-approved on the basis that all established protocols are met including players being fully vaccinated.

This undoubtedly guided the decision of the organisers at the time and they were already down the proverbial wicket in its planning when the government changed course ‘back to normal’.

The usual proliferation of teams participating in the competition – in some years more than 200 - has been thwarted by the vaccination rule and with it its mass appeal which will certainly take a nosedive.

Several former champions, including current title holders Fairfield of Manchester will look to make things hopefully an exciting affair.

But Orane Kelly, coach of two-time champions Old Harbour, believes the usual build up and competitiveness will be difficult to replicate on and off the field this time around.

“The quality will drop severely,” Kelly told Old Harbour News, “because most of the players will not be playing.”

“For example,” he added “in Old Harbour’s case we have lost 11 players from last year, most of whom are players who would be in our starting XI.”

Kelly indicated that many of the teams were able to assemble a squad because players had already taken the jab to participate in schoolboy cricket tournaments or retain employment at their workplace.

Last year’s beaten finalist Race Course of Clarendon, who won the national crown in 2019, is among a host of former winners back in the hunt to reclaim the coveted silverware. 

Previous holders include St Mary’s Gayle, Whitehouse of Westmoreland and South Star from Manchester, while former winners Junction and Bull Savannah have teamed up with fellow parishioners Rose Hall and Ballards Valley in order to field a squad.

Only the 11 group winners are certain to advance to the national round-of-16 which will be played in a round-robin format. No parish finals will be played this time around due to the low number of teams down to compete.

The final is set for August 14 at Noranda, St Ann.

Old Harbour will bow into action this Sunday, May 1 at Chedwin Park where they’ll play Red Ground in the feature match starting 2:00 pm. In the opening game, commencing 10:00 am at the same venue Greater Portmore take on St John’s East.

Fairfield will kick off the defence of their title in the main event of a double-header at French Park Oval when they go up against Comfort at 2:00 pm, following early battle between South Star and French Park.