|
|
Let’s get one thing straight. Although I would have believed it if it were true, Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts is NOT named after former CONCACAF head honcho Jack Warner.
It’s in fact named for Thomas Warner, who helped establish the first British Colony in the Caribbean there in 1623.
The stadium itself is relatively new, having been built in 2006 as part of a larger sporting complex that was partially funded by the Taiwanese. The smaller football stadium can hold around 3000 fans and sits right next to the much larger cricket stadium. It’s the Caribbean after all, so cricket is still king. The cricket stadium was one of the host venues for the 2007 cricket World Cup.
That being said, unlike in St. Lucia where the only acknowledgement that there was a World Cup qualifier going on was a solitary banner in the middle of nowhere, the game does seem to have more profile here.
RedNation takes a quick look at Warner Park Stadium in Basseterre, St. Kitts. It will be the site of the 2014 World Cup qualifier between St Kitts/Nevis and Canada.
There are posters in a number of places advertising the game. The posters show the names of the two countries and below them, it’s a pelican for St. Kitts and a loon for Canada. At the “Circus” which is modelled and named after Piccadilly Circus in London, a banner hangs over the street and from what’s been going around there is some interest in the game.
It’s a busy time for the small island, which, along with the sister island of Nevis makes up the country. Also in town is the Commonwealth Games Committee who, the same day as the game, will announce who gets to host the 2018 Games.
The small stadium where the game will take place has one main stand with some seating behind one of the goals and along the other sideline.
The pitch itself isn’t too bad. There has recently been quite a bit of rain that would have helped. There is some sand in the goalmouths but after some of the other surfaces in CONCACAF, beggars can’t be choosers.
What adds an interesting dynamic to the pitch is that, in various spots, there are very small anthills. Some you can see, while others are tiny. In addition, I know this from experience, the ants are very small and yes, they do bite. It’s nothing too serious, you just feel a barely noticeable sting but it does bring a thought to mind. Maybe FIFA should consider adding this to all pitches so that it would reduce the amount of time some players spend rolling around in feigned agony.
I’d imagine some players would be less inclined to stay down if a small army of ants starts moving up their leg…
|