FIFA approves new Somhlolo turf
MBABANE – “That turf was officially approved by FIFA.”
These were the words of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Communications Officer Sibongiseni Zondi, when giving updates on what has been done at the Somhlolo National Stadium since the phase one rehabilitation.
Zondi revealed that the artificial turf, which was under phase two of the rehabilitation was approved by the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) and they were awarded a certificate, which allows the stadium to host all football matches.
“That turf has been approved and I would like to clarify that FIFA is not against the use of it for any match as after its installation we were given a certificate of approval,” Zondi explained.
He said part of the reason that FIFA banned the Somhlolo National Stadium was due to the fact that the turf was worn out, not that it was not approved for international matches. He said the ministry used E15 million for phase two, which incorporated the installation of synthetic track.
The communications officer said the phase four of rehabilitation of the national stadium, would start once the planning and consultation with relevant stakeholders was done. He was quick to mention that the upgrading had nothing to do with the ban by the global and continental football governing
bodies. “The upgrading is not about soccer, this is a national arena, which the government felt needed to be renovated,” he said.
Zondi said the stadium did not serve soccer only, but as a ministry they were aware of the need to upgrade it to meet the requirements which were set by both FIFA and CAF. He said that was the reason why they added some of the things such as installing new floodlights and adding officials’ rooms. “Apart from the floodlights we also upgraded the VIP area, this was under phase one,” he said.
He further revealed that the recently finished phase three saw the installation of the PA system, water system, new entry points systems and this completed the E55 million that was allocated to them for all the three phases.