Fifa recce at Shillong Polo ground
Courtesy: The Telegraph
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An official from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) today said the world’s soccer governing body is looking forward to assist India in developing soccer grounds.
Eric Harrison, Fifa consultant, after inspecting the progress of the construction of an artificial playing surface at the Polo ground here, said, “Fifa is committed to developing more soccer grounds with artificial turf in India.”
Harrison said apart from the Shillong project, Fifa is also involved in constructing similar grounds in Bangalore, Mumbai and Imphal. “We are hoping to develop such grounds in Goa and Calcutta as well,” Harrison added.
The Shillong project, pegged at around Rs 6 crore, was envisioned in 2009, but the actual construction commenced in January this year. According to Harrison, Fifa expects the ground to be ready before June. “We want to ensure that the ground is the best,” he said. Harrison said the normal lifespan of an artificial playing surface is between eight and 10 years.
Normal usage of such grounds is around 40 hours per week, he added.The Fifa Quality Concept for Football Turf is a rigorous testing programme for artificial football surfaces. The objectives of the Fifa Quality Concept for Football Turf includes creation of recognised standards, ensuring global consistency and increase product quality for artificial playing surfaces around the world.
