JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr Donovan Bennett says the growth of the Social Development Commission (SDC) cricket competition has led him to consider proposing a groundbreaking partnership with the State-run entity to stage a national Twenty20 (T20) tournament.

Bennett expressed his admiration for the hugely popular, community-centric SDC national T20 competition, citing its high level of organisation, standard of play, and fan interest.

He said he envisions a merger between the JCA and SDC cricket competitions to create a single, premier, T20 tournament in the country.

“What we will have going forward is that we won’t end up having two T20 competitions in Jamaica. We will probably join together and have one; one big competition,” the JCA boss told the Jamaica Observer after Fairfield United defeated Links United in the SDC T20 final in August.

Dr Bennett praised the SDC’s ability to effectively promote the game, an area in which he acknowledges JCA has been found wanting.

“I am impressed. It is not the first time that I have been to an SDC cricket game but all of the games I have been to, I am impressed with standard of play, the organisation around it, and the excitement of both the players and the spectators — which we haven’t seen for long time,” Bennett explained.

“I have been having discussions with the SDC people because, clearly, they have something to offer to the development of the game. They know how to promote, for sure, which we don’t know as well as they do.”

Terrence Richards, the SDC senior programmes coordinator, told the Observer that the organisation is willing to collaborate with JCA to boost the sport’s development.

“We believe that the pooling of resources ultimately benefits the development of Jamaica’s cricket, and as such we stand ready to have a discussion with JCA to look at the possibilities,” Richards said.

While spectator interest in local cricket — at all levels — has substantially dwindled over the years, SDC T20 matches generally attract huge crowds to venues. At last month’s final, organisers said a bumper crowd of nearly 6000 was crammed into Chedwin Park in St Catherine.

Though some have hailed innovative marketing strategies utilised by sponsors as a major drawing card, others have highlighted the community-based concept of the competition as the decisive component.

Bennett anticipates providing financial support to the SDC, leveraging their expertise to elevate the sport. He said discussions are underway to conclude a partnership by next year.

“We will give some financial support, and they [SDC] certainly have the expertise to promote the game. I am just hoping that by next year we can conclude the discussion.. [to stage] one big T20 competition.

“Just coming to games and seeing what they have done and how well they have done it… I think they have a lot to offer to the game, and I think that if we should join forces together we will have a hell of a T20 competition in Jamaica,” Bennett reiterated.