Artificial turf for Abuja Stadium

 

Discussions are in progress to have an artificial turf installed at the Abuja National Stadium.
Sources close to the planning informed KickOffNigeria.com exclusively that discussions are taking place with the Sports Ministry on the proposed installation.
“The ministry is discussing with a company to install an artificial pitch at the Abuja Stadium.
“Nothing has been finalized yet, but artificial turf requires little maintenance and that’s why the decision is being made,” a source said.
Completed in 2003, the playing pitch at the Abuja Stadium has fallen into disrepair from lack of maintenance.
This has forced the senior national team to move their home games across the country, with Calabar the preferred destination.
When and if the turf is installed, it would leave Calabar and Kaduna as the only major stadia in Nigeria with natural grass pitches.
It is not a scenario that pleases Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi. The former defender complained about a lack of grass pitches prior to a hectic summer of fixtures in June.
But one official involved was keen to point out that the plans call for a top of the line turf.
“This particular turf will be very close to organic, with a sand base as opposed to the plastic base of the other artificial pitches across the country.”