Shayne Fairman, STAR Writer

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, has come out strongly in defence of ticket prices for the opening leg of the Jamaica versus Nicaragua CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium on Friday, September 4.

In a release yesterday, the JFF listed the entrance fees as follows: Grandstand 1: $6,500 per person; Grandstand 2: $5,500 per person and Bleachers: $1,200 per person.

Captain Burrell believes Jamaicans should be reasonably satisfied with paying what he describes as minimal prices to see the Reggae Boyz play inside the National Stadium. The Reggae Boyz are fresh off impressive Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup performances.

In the latter, Jamaica were beaten finalists, losing 3-1 to Mexico. They got past hosts and pre-tournament favourites the United States in the semi-finals.

"When you consider that four years ago, the costs were almost the same for the grandstand when all other costs ... rental of the stadium, air fares, remuneration to the players have all gone up ... it (entrance fee) is value for money," Burrell told STAR Sports.

Burrell added that the football programme needed the support of all Jamaicans.

"We ask for your support because this team is not the team for Raymond Grant (JFF general secretary), for Captain Burrell ... for anyone ... it is a team for Jamaica and I think every single Jamaican is proud of our team and would want to support.

"This is the commencement of the journey to Russia 2018, and I am sure every single Jamaican at home and abroad is going to want to play a part of the whole evolution of this tremendous drive towards qualification," stressed Burrell.

Tickets go on sale on August 28. Patrons purchasing bleachers tickets can take advantage of an 'Early Boyz' price of $1,000 per person up to end of the day on Wednesday, September 2, or as long as stocks at that price last, the JFF release said.