Lekidi to get second artificial pitch
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday September 27, 2017 14:21
The association already has one artificial pitch, which was built under the previous FIFA Goal projects. With this project, the old field, which is situated inside the Lekidi Football Centre, will now have an artificial turf.
The field used to host national team training sessions and practice matches at the time when it had a natural turf. The new project has been given to Artificial Grass Africa company, which has done similar projects across Africa.
In Benin, the company has done 11 pitches. Speaking to journalists yesterday, the company director, Pierre De Groot said the current project would take his company between three and four months to complete, which includes FIFA inspection.
BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti said the project signifies the importance of being a member of the international soccer body. “These are the benefits of being a FIFA member. All you need to do as a member is think about how you can benefit from the FIFA Forward programme and FIFA will do everything for you,” he said. He added that with FIFA Goal Project, all the projects were prescriptive but has since changed following the arrival of the new FIFA leadership headed by president Gianni Infantino.
“Things have since changed and the programme is now called FIFA Forward. As members you decide what you have to do. However, you still have to comply with some certain requirements to qualify. With this FIFA Forward, our commitment is with football youth development which includes the youth league,” he said.
The FIFA technical development officer, Govinden Thondoo was in the country to assess the BFA youth development programme, which was undertaken last year. Thondoo met amongst other officials, Letshwiti, the technical director, Matshidiso Kowa as well as Masego Nchingane. Letshwiti said the pitch would help the association reach its goals. He said two qualified artisans would remain for maintenance of the pitch after the completion of the project by the Artificial Grass Africa Company.
Newly appointed BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said the project would help the association drive its strategy. He said the fact that the company, which has been awarded the tender has done tremendous job elsewhere, means they have brought someone with experience.