Stories by EZRA STUART

THE LIGHTS did not shine on the footballers on Tuesday night as there was no action in the Digicel Premier League at the YMCA because of inadequate lighting.

Only three pylons of the regular four sets of portable floodlights were burning and the match officials, after waiting for about 45 minutes for the problem to be rectified, "blew off" the scheduled 6:30 p.m. first game between Ronald Toppin Eden Stars and Valrico Technico.

A decision also was taken to postpone the second match between Silver Sands and Rommell Marshall Tudor Bridge, which was due to kick off at 8:30 p.m.

"This is not good enough. You need to take some of these matches to the National Stadium," one angry player shouted as he came off the field.

Senior assistant secretary of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Charles Husbands said it was not possible to get a replacement set of lights because none was available from the National Sports Council.

However, another player suggested the BFA, Government and the YMCA should have a meeting to look at installing permanent lights at the Pinfold Street, St Michael venue, which is a popular one among the fans.

"They need to put their heads together and try to get lights here just like how they have at other grounds around the country. This is where Premier League football is now being played," he said.

More than 100 fans had already assembled for the match, but not all were refunded their entry fee.

"We were unable to refund all patrons after making change at the gate, but they will be allowed to enter the next time they come to football once they produce that ticket," Husbands said.

"It was a situation which was beyond the BFA's control, but we would like to apologise to the fans and players even though the reality is that lights at all types of games, even international games, will malfunction from time to time," he said.

Husbands said the matches will be replayed as soon as possible, but in terms of playing the matches at the National Stadium, he said they would need to check the availability of the venue in light of athletic meets, the upcoming Spectakula calypso show and the Cricket World Cup.

But he assured fans that the Premier League will continue on Sunday at the YMCA with the usual triple-header from 4 p.m.

* ezrastuart@nationnews.com