The new hybrid pitch at the National Heroes Stadium is expected to be ready for use within four to six weeks, Sporturf, the company working on the pitch, has confirmed.

The company’s project manager, Marius van Niekerk, disclosed on Thursday that the stitching process of the pitch is scheduled to be completed before this Saturday.

“We had a couple of delays due to the stones that were in the sand that was delivered to us. But the [stitching] machine should be finished by Saturday morning; then we load it and send it back,” Niekerk said. “We’ve interceded in the area that’s already been stitched, and we’ll do the final interceding once I’ve completed this section. Put down a growing fertiliser.”

Asked when the pitch would be ready for use, Niekerk said, “Four to six weeks.”

The hybrid pitch has been installed at a total cost of $1.4 million.

Damaged roof to be repaired

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, through the stadium director Raphael Mulenga, told reporters that repairs to the two damaged roofing panels at the stadium are expected to commence in the coming weeks at an estimated cost of around K2.5 million.

“As you may be aware, we suffered damage due to weathering conditions to the roof, and two panels were ripped off. I’m happy to mention today that our insurance company, Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC), has completed an assessment to repair the two panels at over K2.5 million.”

Mulenga added that the facility is fully insured whenever it is in use, covering both the infrastructure and its users. Following the recent roof damage, the insurer completed its assessment, and a company is expected to begin repairs within the next two weeks.

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