TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MAPUSA: The Duler Stadium in Mapusa is getting ready to re-open as the laying out of the artificial turf is currently in the final stage, courtesy FIFA’s ‘Win in India with India,” programme. The testing will probably take place on November 20.

 “A communication from AIFF representative, Dr Shaji Prabhakaran stated that the turf will be ready for testing by November 20,” said GFA vice-president Lavino Rebello. “The work was brought to a standstill due to rains and the delayed Customs clearance for the shipment of the artificial turf and equipment. But the pace of the work picked up lately, with work in full swing. Looking at the current progress, we can confidently say the turf will be ready by November 20 as promised by AIFF,” disclosed Lavinio.

“Maintenance will be taken care of by GFA. Greenfield Sports Turf Systems - the Dutch manufacturers and installers of the artificial surface - will be training our ground staff on all aspects concerning the work,” added Lavinio.

Green Fields Laboratories have undertaken studies on the effects and benefits that synthetic surfaces have on ball roll, ball bounce, friction, sliding, resistance, hardness and shock absorption which is the key aspect as far as the safety of players is concerned.

“With the synthetic turf now, Goan football fans will have opportunities for year round action. So, even during monsoons, there will be football,” stressed Lavinio.

Deepak Khanolkar, Head of Operations in India for Green Fields, explained the process of laying the fourth generation 50 V Slide Pro Turf: “After the excavation work, the surface was relayed so as to meet the FIFA standards which lays emphasis on the double back up drainage system. The new generation turf does not require watering but regular maintenance will include brushing the turf and levelling it with rubber appliances so as to give a life span of seven to ten years.”

Gajanan Kerkar, GFA’s Executive Committee member, opined that the synthetic turf was the need of the hour since there was no football during the rainy season in Goa. “We will now be able to start the Goa Pro League in July. The only problem is to keep out stray dogs which enter the stadium,” commented Kerkar.