Following the completion of the installation of a new hybrid pitch at the National Heroes Stadium at a total cost of $1.4 million, there have been calls from fans for non-sporting events not to be held at the stadium in order to protect the new surface.

However, stadium director Raphael Mulenga told reporters that the venue cannot be restricted to sports only.

“The facility is [also] meant to host non-sport events and gatherings, and all those aspects require that the stadium is in its best possible standard in terms of all the components around it,” Mulenga said.

“It shouldn’t be dormant at any given time when there’s no football match or any sporting activities. There must be other activities. There must be a concert. There must be big gatherings to that effect.”

Sporturf Advises Stadium Management

Sporturf, who were contracted to replace the pitch, through their project manager Marius van Niekerk, advised that the surface should always be protected whenever the stadium is not hosting sporting events.

“It is mainly a sports pitch, and that is what it should be used for. If you’re going to use it for functions or concerts, obviously you’ve to put proper protection over it,” Niekerk told BolaNews.

Mulenga, however, revealed that the government is in the process of procuring a turf protector to ensure the pitch is not damaged when hosting non-sporting events.

“The government, through the ministry [of Youth, Sport and Arts], is in the process of procuring a turf protector, which can cover the pitch so that when you have a concert, you can cover the pitch to protect the turf, and you can host your event without damaging the grass. So that is in the process,” Mulenga disclosed.

The stadium is expected to be ready for use by the end of this month, depending on the progress made on the rehabilitation of the roof, which had two panels torn apart.

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