SEA Games Hockey field asphalt 'substandard'

JAKARTA (JP): The asphalting of the new hockey field for the SEA Games is not up to the international standard set by American company Astro Turf, and must be fixed.

Astro Turf has said it will not install artificial turf on substandard asphalt.

Kompas reported yesterday that laser equipment should have been used in the asphalting process but the contractor did not have it.

A local man who supervised the asphalting, and who requested anonymity, said: "the first and second asphalt layers have to be fixed".

Astro Turf is making the artificial turf. It sent a letter, dated Aug. 8, 1997, to Gelora Senayan Management Board informing them of the problem. The letter was signed by the company's Far East Regional Manager, Sophocles Sophocleous.

The asphalting was due to be completed yesterday.

The field at the Senayan sports complex was due to be completed next month in time for the 19th SEA Games, which start on Oct. 11 and end on Oct. 19.

The supervisor said "Astro Turf wants a 0.005 elevation (5mms elevation for one meter). I don't have the laser equipment. We only have a sensor but we'll do our best."

The first layer of asphalt was completed on Aug. 4. It was followed by the second layer.

Astro Turf's turf installation supervisor Gary Baumer checked the field and the asphalt Saturday.

Indonesian Hockey Association chairman Raj Kumar Singh said he doubted the field would be ready in time.

"I asked the Astro Turf supervisor, who came on Wednesday and is to leave Sunday, to stay and keep working on this. I'm afraid that if he leaves the results will be substandard and the installation will be delayed," he said.

The turf is due here on Aug. 16, to be installed starting on Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, Indonesian cyclists are unable to perform their best at Rawamangun velodrome, East Jakarta, because the renovations there are incomplete.

Contractor Robert Nursalim from CV Texmura said the renovations would be finished on Aug. 23.

The track and tribunes are being renovated and a new cooling down track and paddock are being built.

"It is 75 percent complete. It will be ready for the SEA Games," he said.

Coach Wahyudi Hidayat said cyclists could not get the most out of their training because the track was being asphalted. Tires are better on cement, he said.

Wahyudi said he did not know if the new track would meet International Cycling Union or Asian Federation of Cycling standards. (yan)