Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah underwent a remarkable transformation of its field during the King Cup final between Al-Hilal and Al-Khulood, raising questions and praise regarding this swift change. The new surface significantly improved the teams' performance, leading to an exceptional match in the Saudi season.
The stadium was closed for nearly 14 days following the match between Al-Ahli and Machida in the AFC Champions League final, where officials worked to ensure the best quality for the field. According to informed sources, the field underwent comprehensive treatment that involved removing a layer of grass and soil to a depth of between 3 and 4 cm, replacing it with new grass from the specialized nursery at King Abdullah Sports City.
Details of the Event
The works were carried out under the supervision of engineers from the Ministry of Sports and the agricultural technical team, using specialized equipment and tools. The process included scraping and removing the layer of grass and soil, then readjusting the surface level and preparing it. After that, layers of grass with soil were cut into rolls from the nursery, transported, and laid out precisely to ensure the stadium was ready to host the final.
The teams faced challenges during the maintenance period due to the heat in Jeddah, which required careful and precise work. The operations began on April 27 and concluded on April 30, with efforts continuing around the clock to prepare the field with modern equipment and necessary fertilizers.
Background & Context
The field at King Abdullah Sports City is considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the Kingdom and has hosted many significant sporting events. With the density of matches and training sessions, it was essential to improve the field to ensure its continuous readiness. Technical and operational measures were taken to enhance the field, including reinforcing artificial lighting programs and providing additional areas of the same type of soil and grass.
The stadium management aims to maintain the field's readiness according to the highest international standards, in line with the requirements of the FIFA. These efforts reflect the Kingdom's commitment to developing sports infrastructure.
Impact & Consequences
The change in the stadium's field has positive effects on the technical performance level of the teams, enhancing the quality of matches and increasing the attractiveness of sporting events. Additionally, the improvement of the field reflects the Kingdom's interest in developing football and strengthens its position on the international stage.
This change may also contribute to attracting more major sporting events to the Kingdom, boosting sports tourism and increasing investment opportunities in this sector.
Regional Significance
These steps are part of a broader vision to develop sports in the region, as Arab countries seek to improve their sports infrastructure to host international events. The success of Al-Inma Stadium in providing an exceptional field may encourage other countries to take similar steps.
In conclusion, this change at Al-Inma Stadium represents a positive step towards improving the quality of sports in the Kingdom and reflects its commitment to developing sports infrastructure.