As the revamping of Amahoro National Stadium continues, one of the new improvements introduced is a hybrid playing surface, a mixture of natural grass supported by artificial fibres.
The technology that is becoming popular around the world is not very new in Rwanda, as it is also used at the newly renovated Huye National Stadium in Southern Province.
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Many European club stadiums including Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), Etihad Stadium (Manchester City), Old Trafford (Manchester United), White Hart Lane (Tottenham), St.James Park (Newcastle United), and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea), have hybrid turfs. The hybrid turf in Huye was fixed by Desso Sports Systems, FIFA’s preferred producer of football turfs.
Eng. Jean Claude Niyonzima, a Project Manager representing Gasabo 3D, one of the local firms working at Amahoro National Stadium, told The New Times why hybrid turf is a good option.
"The football pitch we have here has hybrid grass technology. It means it is a mix of artificial turf and natural grass; 70 percent is artificial turf and 30 percent is natural grass,” he said, noting that it has an endurance advantage over natural grass.
"Normally, a natural grass pitch can resist between 200 hours to 800 hours per year but this hybrid turf can resist between 1,200 and 1,500 hours per year.”
Since August 31, 2022, the country’s main stadium was undergoing a major face-lift to turn it into an ultra-modern sports ground by the end of 2024. The renovations include expanding the seating capacity from 25,000 to 45,000, enhancing outer facilities such as Petit Stade for basketball and indoor games, the Paralympics gymnasium, parking and access roads as well as the perimeter fence.
In addition to meeting FIFA standards, the new stadium is designed to host major athletics events, since it has an eight-lane running track that aligns with international standards. It boasts various amenities including a VVIP area for dignitaries, VIP lounges for business discussions and game enjoyment, and a media area that will be well equipped for press coverage.