President of the Ashburton Sports and Cultural Organisation (ASCO) Denisford Foster has expressed disappointment with the state of the “upgraded” Dauphine Playing Field.{{more}}

Foster, in a no holes barred approach, vented his emotions last Saturday afternoon at the opening of the ASCO Softball Cricket Competition held at the said Dauphine venue.

In his remarks, Foster said he was not pleased with the finished product accepted by the Social Investment Fund (SIF) from the contractors.

Foster also said he knows what is good work because he is involved in the construction industry.

Foster later told SEARCHLIGHT: “I am dissatisfied with the poor quality work accepted by SIF from the contractors.”

“I am involved in construction and I am expressing disgust at the work done,” said Foster, who has been the only President of ASCO over the past twenty years, the duration of the organisation’s life.

“The surface is uneven, it needs some top soil and some areas still need re-grassing,” Foster added.

As a result of the planned upgrade, no competition was played last year and a “hard ball” 20/20 competition was to have heralded in the facelift of the playing facility, but according to Foster, this had to be shelved, as the work was not up to standard.

The Dauphine Playing Field project was a joint venture between SIF and the Top Belair Progressive Organisation (TBPO) and mainly entailed a redo of the outfield as well as the erection of a wire fence.

ASCO joins the Marriaqua Sports Association in publicly expressing their displeasure with work accepted by SIF at the Cane End Playing Field and the hard court at the “Oval” at Richland Park.

Despite the shortcomings, a colourful march past attended by twenty of the twenty-eight registered teams was held.

Twenty teams are competing in the male division and eight in the female division. The ASCO competition started in 1992, and has since been hosted consistently, with the exceptions of 1996 and 2009.

Sea Operations Nar Fen Dem was declared the Best Turned Out Team on parade, with female teams United Survivors and Ju- C Super Strikers second and third, respectively.

ASCO triumphed in the Ball-o-Rama that followed the opening ceremony.

Senator Cecil “Ces” Mc Kie, junior Minister with responsibility for Youth and Sports, pledged two trophies for the Most Disciplined team in each division. (RT)