Courtney Walsh, former West Indies bowler, shows Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller how to hold a cricket ball after the signing of the MOU between the Government of Jamaica and the Republic of India for the Sabina Park Lighting Project. - Rudolph Brown

Former West Indies captain, Courtney Walsh, has expressed pleasure at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governments of India and Jamaica for the setting of floodlights at Sabina Park.

The MOU, which signifies a US$2.1 million grant from the Indian government to the people of Jamaica, paves the way for the implementation of the commodity in three months time.

"To see the reality, the process actually in place for the putting in of the lights, I am extremely happy and elated," said Walsh, who was a part of the signing ceremony at the venue yesterday.

"I think it is long overdue as it is something that I have been advocating for since the World Cup in 2007, can't wait for the work to get started."

The implementation, which is to be managed by the Urban Development Corporation in conjunction with FosRich Group and Tank-Weld Metals, is scheduled to start this weekend.

It is set to be finished by the end of June, just in time for Jamaica to host matches in the second annual Caribbean Premier League.

"It's pretty important nowadays to have a venue with lights," said Walsh, who is also vice-president of the Jamaica Cricket Association.

"It's a pity that we are behind in this regard, but, as always, it is better late than never.

"We have to now ensure that we have a cricket product that is well put together and that will help to enhance the growth of the sport."

Meanwhile, Natalie Neita-Headley, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Sports, who along with Prime Minister and Sports Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, cut a ribbon to signify the event, called the signing 'fantastic'.

"This is a fantastic time as we expect to see a lot of cricket and other sporting activities taking place here," she said.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller tries her hand at cricket by bowling to Shri Pratap Singh, high commissioner of India, while Senator AJ Nicholson (foreground), minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, and Natalie Neita Headley (right), state minister with responsibility for sports, look on after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Jamaican Government and the Republic of India for the Sabina Park Lighting Project at Sabina Park in Kingston yesterday.