Opposing views on Oval wear-and-tear

MANAGEMENT AT KENSINGTON OVAL and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) have opposing views on just what causes most of the wear-and-tear to the outfield at the Oval.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of Kensington Oval Management Inc. (KOMI), Ben Toppin, believes it is caused by a number of “minor” matches at the country’s leading sporting facility. However, BCA president Conde Riley has pointed to the number of entertainment shows held at the venue, some of which requirelarge stages.

“Over the last two years, we have had more events but we’ve had a massive increase in the cricket played here. Up to 2014, we would have blocked out areas to prepare for a major match, we wouldn’t use the field at all. But nowadays the field is used for major, minor and everything in between,” said Toppin.

“We have done our part in terms of management of the field, in ensuring that stages are not there for too long but I still have concerns about where the overuse of the fieldis coming from,” he added. (TG)

Please read the full story in today’s Saturday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.