SEA Games Hockey field asphalt 'substandard'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The asphalting of the new hockey field for the
\nSEA Games is not up to the international standard set by American
\ncompany Astro Turf, and must be fixed.<\/p>\n
Astro Turf has said it will not install artificial turf on
\nsubstandard asphalt.<\/p>\n
Kompas reported yesterday that laser equipment should have
\nbeen used in the asphalting process but the contractor did not
\nhave it.<\/p>\n
A local man who supervised the asphalting, and who requested
\nanonymity, said: \"the first and second asphalt layers have to be
\nfixed\".<\/p>\n
Astro Turf is making the artificial turf. It sent a letter,
\ndated Aug. 8, 1997, to Gelora Senayan Management Board informing
\nthem of the problem. The letter was signed by the company's Far
\nEast Regional Manager, Sophocles Sophocleous.<\/p>\n
The asphalting was due to be completed yesterday.<\/p>\n
The field at the Senayan sports complex was due to be
\ncompleted next month in time for the 19th SEA Games, which start
\non Oct. 11 and end on Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
The supervisor said \"Astro Turf wants a 0.005 elevation (5mms
\nelevation for one meter). I don't have the laser equipment. We
\nonly have a sensor but we'll do our best.\"<\/p>\n
The first layer of asphalt was completed on Aug. 4. It was
\nfollowed by the second layer.<\/p>\n
Astro Turf's turf installation supervisor Gary Baumer checked
\nthe field and the asphalt Saturday.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Hockey Association chairman Raj Kumar Singh said he
\ndoubted the field would be ready in time.<\/p>\n
\"I asked the Astro Turf supervisor, who came on Wednesday and
\nis to leave Sunday, to stay and keep working on this. I'm afraid
\nthat if he leaves the results will be substandard and the
\ninstallation will be delayed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The turf is due here on Aug. 16, to be installed starting on
\nAug. 25.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indonesian cyclists are unable to perform their
\nbest at Rawamangun velodrome, East Jakarta, because the
\nrenovations there are incomplete.<\/p>\n
Contractor Robert Nursalim from CV Texmura said the
\nrenovations would be finished on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
The track and tribunes are being renovated and a new cooling
\ndown track and paddock are being built.<\/p>\n
\"It is 75 percent complete. It will be ready for the SEA
\nGames,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Coach Wahyudi Hidayat said cyclists could not get the most out
\nof their training because the track was being asphalted. Tires
\nare better on cement, he said.<\/p>\n
Wahyudi said he did not know if the new track would meet
\nInternational Cycling Union or Asian Federation of Cycling
\nstandards. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sea-games-hockey-field-asphalt-substandard-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}