AUTHORITIES responsible for the John F Kennedy (JFK) Stadium in Gizo, Western Province, should consider selling the stadium’s naming rights to generate revenue for its upkeep and improvement as the facility was not upgraded for decades, according to a concerned sports enthusiast in the Western Province.
A concerned citizen and sports enthusiast in Gizo Town said the stadium was built in the 1990s and named after one of the former US Presidents with hopes of attracting financial assistance from the Kennedy family in the US for its upgrade and upkeep.
However, he said no support has been received ever since.
“It makes sense to rename it to an individual or organisation who/ which is prepared to acquire the naming rights,” the concerned citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, told Star Sports in an interview yesterday.
He emphasised that many the Solomon Islands are unfamiliar with the concept of naming rights, which involves selling the intangible value or goodwill associated with physical assets like stadiums and buildings.
Besides JFK Stadium, he suggested other facilities in Gizo, such as the hospital and wharf, could attract buyers for naming rights, potentially generating significant annual revenue for the provincial government.
“The provincial government could hire a marketing consultant to secure holders of naming rights,” he added.
In August 2023, the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy and her son Jack Schlossberg visited the JFK Stadium during a brief visit to Gizo.
Despite discussions between Premier Billy Veo and Ambassador Kennedy about possible assistance for the stadium’s development, no support has materialised to date.
Meanwhile, the stadium is scheduled for an expansion under the ‘John F. Kennedy Stadium Refitting and Expansion Project 2024,’ funded under the FIFA Forward Programme.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has invited tenders for the design and construction of the project, but has not disclosed the cost or confirmed the winning contractor for the work starting in 2025.
The Western Province owns the stadium, with development managed by SIFF under FIFA Goal project funding.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
