Kingston, 17 June 2025 – The Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has switched on the new lights at Sabina Park.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said the new lights, which cost the Government J$75 million, represent a significant infrastructure upgrade at the celebrated cricket venue.

Minister Grange said the new lights are “going to make a world of difference” as they will ignite “a series of cricket events that will be held [at Sabina Park] both during the day and at night.”

The President of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Dr Donovan Bennett, in lauding the government said “we needed the lights here, we just couldn’t function properly without them and we would not be an attractive venue.”

The old lights were not bright enough for day-night matches, but Dr Bennett said the upgraded LEDs will enable Jamaica to host international cricket as early as July.

“We have international commitments the second week in July. We have seven nights of cricket here. A lot of people may not know but the Test match [against Australia] is going to be a pink ball match… so the lights are very essential to be able to pull that off,” said Dr Bennett.

Minister Grange said the expenditure on the lights is part of a broader strategic approach by the government to developing cricket. She revealed the extent of the government’s effort to procure and install a new scoreboard, which is also now being installed at Sabina Park.

“After having discussions with the Jamaica Cricket Association we approached the Government of India and following on that approach, Prime Minister Andrew Holness visited India and further discussions were held with Prime Minister [Modi]… It’s materialised. We’re getting a new scoreboard,” said Minister Grange.
The scoreboard is a gift from the Government of India.

In addition to the upgrades at Sabina Park, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is also pumping J$100 million into the development of cricket in schools and at the grassroots over three years.

The Minister said “40 out of that 100 million has already been disbursed to the Ministry and we’ve started spending from those funds in collaboration with the Jamaica Cricket Association.”

Dr Bennett reflected on Minister Grange’s strategic approach.

“We work at different speeds. I like to get things done quickly. She’s more programmed, very strategic… But on the whole we have worked very well and she has been very helpful and I don’t think these lights could’ve been up without her help and participation in the process…. I know the perception has been out there post the World Cup that the Government is not very responsive to sports and cricket in particular, but I have not found this to be so. The Government and especially Minister Grange, as you asked, has been very receptive and helpful to us and I’m thankful for that.”

The lights are up and working and need only to be focused while most of the panels for the scoreboard are in Jamaica.

Minister Grange said by the end of the month, these upgrades to Sabina Park will be completed.

END