- Title: Qatar cultivates turf for 2022 World Cup
- Date: 1st December 2016
- Summary: DOHA, QATAR (NOVEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GRASS EXPERIMENTATION FARM PATCH OF GRASS SENIOR LANDSCAPE AND SPORT TURF MANAGER AT THE SUPREME COMMITTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY, YASSER AL-MULLA, TALKING TO A COLLEAGUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SENIOR LANDSCAPE AND SPORTS TURF MANAGER AT THE SUPREME COMMITTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY, YASSER AL-MULLA, SAYING: "The project covers an area of 60 thousand square meters. It has three main zones: the grass testing zone, the shade testing zone and the irrigation testing zone. In addition, we have a sports turf farm on an area of more than 20 thousand square meters. If we want to prepare any stadium or do any stadium experiments, we can do so in less than 18 hours. The grass is well sourced and one of the best in the whole region." VIEW OF LAWN VARIOUS OF WORKERS ON GRASS / DIGGING SOIL WORKERS PUTTING SENSORS IN SOIL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SENIOR LANDSCAPE AND SPORT TURF MANAGER AT THE SUPREME COMMITTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY, YASSER AL-MULLA, SAYING: "Turf in our region needs water, sunlight and fertilization. If one of these aspects is not met, the turf will be affected. In our stadiums we have a huge challenge because it's air conditioned stadiums and almost closed. The turf is under constant lighting. We are developing a new kind of turf, with new and reliable qualities that we can plant under any conditions, be it cooling or shade. That's the purpose of this project." VARIOUS OF WORKERS PREPARING SOIL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SENIOR LANDSCAPE AND SPORT TURF MANAGER AT THE SUPREME COMMITTEE FOR DELIVERY AND LEGACY, YASSER AL-MULLA, SAYING: "We are building something in Qatar that will be part of the legacy of this World Cup. These facilities will remain and will be used after the World Cup. It can be turned into a public park in a matter of days." VARIOUS OF WORKERS PREPARING SOIL MAZROUA, QATAR (NOVEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TREES NAME TAG ON TREE READING (English) BOTANICAL NAME: WASHINGTONIA FILIFERA / COMMON NAME: CALIFORNIA FAN PALM SKY / TREES
- Embargoed: 16th December 2016 11:23
- Keywords: Qatar World Cup 2022 grass astro turf trees football soccer
- Location: DOHA AND MAZROUA, QATAR
- City: DOHA AND MAZROUA, QATAR
- Country: Qatar
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B1VSR9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The World Cup in Qatar may be six years away, but organisers are already focusing their efforts on making the event the best it can be - and that means making sure the grass isn't greener on the other side.
Qatar's climate has been the subject of much debate since the Gulf nation was awarded the 2022 soccer World Cup.
But organisers from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy are working on ensuring that the best grass is selected to withstand the weather.
An experimental facility in Doha is testing the quality and performance of 24 types of grass under variable watering, fertilization and shading conditions.
"The project covers an area of 60 thousand square meters. It has three main zones: the grass testing zone, the shade testing zone and the irrigation testing zone. In addition, we have a sports turf farm on an area of more than 20 thousand square meters. If we want to prepare any stadium or do any stadium experiments, we can do so in less than 18 hours. The grass is well sourced and one of the best in the whole region," said Yasser al-Mulla, Senior Landscape and Sports Turf Manager at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
A weather station and underground sensors are installed at the facility to measure acidity and alkaline levels of the soil, aeration, need for fertilization and other key facets.
The scorching desert heat forced organisers into the unprecedented move of hosting the tournament in November rather than during June and July.
The Gulf nation also sought to allay concerns about the climate by announcing details of five stadiums with built-in air conditioning.
Even with a November tournament in air conditioned stadiums, getting the right turf is crucial.
"Turf in our region needs water, sunlight and fertilization. If one of these aspects is not met, the turf will be affected. In our stadiums we have a huge challenge because it's air conditioned stadiums and almost closed. The turf is under constant lighting. We are developing a new kind of turf, with new and reliable qualities that we can plant under any conditions," said al-Mulla.
"We are building something in Qatar that will be part of the legacy of this World Cup. These facilities will remain and will be used after the World Cup. It can be turned into a public park in a matter of days," he added.
In another facility north of Doha, an 800,000 square metre tree and grass nursery grows greenery that will surround Qatar's World Cup stadiums.
The trees are being grown from seedlings, with more than 20,000 trees expected to be used in the landscaping of the stadiums. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
