ABU DHABI // New pitches, seating for fans and luxury corporate facilities at the capital's two biggest stadiums will all be completed on schedule to ensure Fifa standards are met by the time of the Club World Cup in December. Al Jazira's Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and the Zayed Sports City Stadium are due to play host to the world's finest footballers near the end of the year and an overhaul of each venue is under way.
The likes of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry, who are used to lining up at the Nou Camp, will have the same quality of surface in the emirate, say the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the cup, even though grass roots are only just beginning to emerge at the stadiums. "The vision is to meet the standards that Fifa have set," explained Shatha al Romaithi, LOC communications manager. "We are working very closely with Fifa to ensure this happens.
"We have set our own goal to go above and beyond this. We want to develop world-class standards and facilities at both stadiums." Renovations to Al Jazira's 42,000 capacity home ground will be less extensive than at the showcase stadium at Zayed Sports City. The Mohammed Bin Zayed ground was the focus of a Dh200million expansion projected unveiled in 2005. Construction is still ongoing to complete the project, which includes residential apartments, covered spectator stands and corporate hospitality boxes.
Meanwhile, Zayed Sports City's 50,000 capacity stadium is undergoing an extensive face-lift. Walking from the almost bare pitch through what will eventually be the new player dressing rooms, it is clear to see the challenge being faced. Inside, the stadium has been gutted. Wires hang from the ceilings, walls are knocked down and floors pulled up. A sign hangs on the wall indicating the countdown to completion. The stadium's operations manager is adamant they are on track and the work will be completed on schedule.
In addition to a new pitch, existing spectator seating will be removed and replaced, giving a new shine around the bowl style arena. The Royal Box is to be upgraded and new corporate hospitality areas are to be built. Leading off the third floor walkway, a concrete room, where the new commentary box will be, looks out into the soon to be immaculate pitch. New high-tech media and broadcast areas are planned to house journalists and broadcasters from across the world.
To meet the high standards expected by the international players, dressing rooms, shower blocks, warm-up areas and press conference rooms will be added. Aside from the aesthetics, a timely review of security and emergency procedures is also in progress, with updated procedures to be introduced ahead of the tournament to ensure they meet strict international regulations. "In some areas the standards were not up to Fifa requirements," said a committee official.
"This will be the largest tournament held at either stadium," the committee official said. "There have been large events such as the Gulf Cup and the Youth World Championship in 2003, but in terms of crowd capacity this will be the largest tournament staged in both stadiums, hence the need to re-look at all the facilities and services and upgrade." Work on both stadiums began six weeks ago and new pitches at both stadiums have been laid. Renovation work is due to be completed by mid-October, in time for international friendly matches to take place at the Zayed Sports City Stadium early in November.
With the UAE Pro League season due to start mid-September, the LOC and ground staff at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium are on a tight deadline to ensure the pitch is ready for Al Jazira's first home match on Sept 14. Two weeks after laying new pitches at both stadiums, the first tufts of grass can be seen sprouting through the "mulch" covered ground at Zayed Sport City's stadium, with full grass coverage expected within 10 weeks. The Fifa LOC are confident the pitch at Al Jazira's stadium is progressing at the same speed.
zgriffiths@thenational.ae
