Rufaro turf needs facelift

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CONTRACTORS who installed the artificial turf at Rufaro have recommended the rejuvenation of the pitch and proper maintenance to make it comfortable to play on and avoid injuries to players. The process which involves the complete removal, thorough cleaning and the re-laying of the turf will require about US$110 000 and will be done once the funds are guaranteed with the machinery imported from Europe.

It will take two weeks to complete the process.

The lifespan of the turf is between eight to 10 years after which it will need to be replaced.

An official from the company that installed the turf, Goran Blagojevic, said the rejuvenation process is part of the maintenance which is supposed to be done on the pitch at least every three years.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case with Rufaro since it was open for use in 2008.

Blagojevic, who has been contracted by Fifa to install artificial turf in most of the African nations, also said the turf needed continuous supply of rubber granules to keep it in good condition.

“We agreed the pitch need to be worked out. The City of Harare has already agreed and is working on a proposal hopefully to rejuvenate the pitch because this has to be done after every three or so years, and not seven years,” said Blagojevic.

“Basically the process will make the pitch cleaner and softer and afterwards it will last for the next two years in good condition.

“Then after that we lobby Fifa to do replacement for this pitch and probably donate this one to a community stadium.

“This turf was given to Zifa by Fifa as a present and they in turn handed it over to Harare City Council. “It was agreed they will take responsibility for the maintenance including rejuvenation and buying the rubber granules but it seems everybody was busy.

“People were just talking and talking that they will do it and it ended with the talk. Now it is time somebody should say let’s do something.” He also explained the challenges that could be encountered.

“When you do this you need extra rubber for the next two or three years because it will be expensive to bring half container of rubber from Holland,” said Blagojevic.

“Fifa donated 30 tonnes of rubber granules but unfortunately somebody thought that for the next 10 years the maintenance and the rubber, everything will be for free, yet Fifa were only installing.”  The council had been advised from the onset that after eight to 10 years the turf would need to be replaced which costs ranging around US$750 000.

The city fathers then resolved to set aside five percent from their share of the gate takings to be channelled towards the rejuvenation and replacement of the turf.

Premiership football players and officials have been complaining about the playing surface at Rufaro which they claim is hard and dangerous to play on since it makes them vulnerable to injuries.

The stadium authorities yesterday invited the contractors to explain to the Premiership club coaches but unfortunately only three coaches — Bigboy Mawiwi, Taurai Mangwiro and Arthur Tutani — turned up.

“Please not that Fifa have not insisted on any type of special boots for use on the artificial turf but here it’s advisable to use low penetration boots, the ones that you may use on a muddy pitch.

“They have better grip on this turf but long studs put an extra strain on the ligaments,” said Blagojevic.

He said the surface needed to be sprinkled with water every time before hosting a football match to cool down the temperatures on the synthetic surface.

He said the stadium needed to be combed up regularly to make it soft and more comfortable.

“If you don’t brush the pitch the grass will be lying down flat and the ball will roll very fast on the surface. Extra rubber will also help the ball to flow slowly and more consistently.

“The pitch as it is now, is playable but for next year September or October let’s try to push papers to Zifa (to lobby for the replacement),” said Blagojevic.

City of Harare Community Services Officer Ray Garwe, who facilitated the invitation of Gorang, said the authorities lacked technical expertise to address the issues that had been raised about the surface at Rufaro.