India signs deal to fund lights at Sabina Park

Kingston (Jamaica), April 2 (IANS/CMC) India is providing Jamaica a grant of $2.1 million to install lights at the Sabina Park cricket venue, officials said.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering the agreement was signed at the venue, clearing the way for the start of the project which is expected to be completed in three months, reports CMC.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced that Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund will grant a further $600,000 to cover the estimated total project value of $2.7 million.

“We are pleased that the government of India has agreed to sign an MOU with the government of Jamaica to provide financial support for the installation of the floodlights at Sabina Park,” Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller told the media.

“This support is in the form of a grant in the sum of $2.1 million.”

Officials are hoping that the lights will be installed in time for the second edition of the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tournament in June.

Negotiations involved the Jamaica Cricket Association, members of the Kingston Cricket Club, and representatives of Sabina Park Holdings, which manages the venue and its facilities.

The project, which will be managed by the Urban Development Corporation, has been awarded to the FosRich Group of Companies, which will be working with Philips Lighting, a global firm that has strong ties in Europe, Asia and South America.

“The first instalment of $0.77 million is being released right away and the balance would be provided later,” said Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica Pratap Singh.

“I’m confident that this gesture on the part of the government of India should pave the way for further enhancement of the relationship between our two countries”.