Local media personnel attending last Sundayâs World Cup Qualifier between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, were lost in an ocean of inefficiencies.{{more}}
Media practitioners were appalled at the shabby treatment meted out to them by the organizers, the Executive of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.
The tardiness in getting information on both teams, prior to the start of the match, left seasoned practitioners looking like amateurs just learning their craft.
Secondly, the names of the match officials were only made available on the persistence of some media officials during half-time of the match, as this information was not readily available at the start.
No one seemed equipped to provide the media with pertinent and accurate official information during, or soon after the match, as is the norm at international football matches of this nature.
The times of the substitutions could not be verified officially, hours after the match was concluded.
There was an evident disconnect between the match officials and the organizers, as the necessary facilities to expedite the process were not put in place at the venue.
It is the standard procedure that someone is appointed on match day to fill the role of media liaison.
Someone among the organising committee probably did not read the script well or failed to follow the checklist in event organisation of an international Football match, handed down by Footballâs world governing body, FIFA.
The organizers need to be reminded that it is a World Cup Qualifier, a FIFA approved match; hence, accuracy of reporting is critical to oneâs work and anything short of that works against the credibility of the reporters.
What was certain was that St. Vincent and the Grenadines won the match 2-1, with Myron Samuel and Cornelius Stewart netting for the Vincentians, and Cassim Langaine for Grenada.
Details had to be later sourced through FIFAâs website.
Many are hopeful that when the next qualifier is staged here on Friday, October 7, against Guatemala, arrangements relative to the media operations and other organizational flaws will be corrected. (RT)
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