Indonesia ensures U-20 pitches at par with FIFA’s standard
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Chair of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Erick Thohir, ensured that all pitches in the designated six stadiums will meet the requirements, including the pitch standard.
Thohir stated here on Saturday that the provision of a pitch stitching machine recommended by FIFA will improve the quality of pitches that are capable and worthy of hosting FIFA’s second-largest event.
“The pitch stitching machine, recommended by FIFA to improve the field quality to the World Cup’s standard, is already here in Indonesia. Currently, the machine is in Bali to improve the I Wayan Dipta Stadium’s pitch quality,” he explained.
He remarked that the pitch stitching machine will also be transported to other designated stadiums.
The organizing committee has scheduled the pitch stitching process that will take place from Saturday (March 18) up to early May. The stitching of real and synthetic grass aims to modify the grass density.
After Bali, the British company, Sisgrass, that operates the machine will go to Surabaya, Jakarta, Solo, Bandung, and finally Palembang.
“With each stadium taking a week to complete and (the machine) needing to be transported between cities, we ensured the stitching work for the six pitches for U-20 will be completed on time,” Thohir remarked.
Thohir, who is concurrently the chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), said this is a matter of pride, because of the upcoming U-20 event, six pitches in Indonesia can be at par with FIFA and the world standards.
Sisgrass is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of natural and synthetic sports surfaces. Grass stitching technology has been used in the World Cup finals as well as European, African, and Asian football championships.
The 2023 U-20 World Cup is scheduled from May 20 to June 11 and will be attended by 24 countries, including the host Indonesia, which will be divided into six groups.
