The grass in the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) area is now in the spotlight after it was said it did not meet FIFA, for World Cup standards. The stadium’s lawn area will be replaced entirely.
JIS Grass replacement costs range up to IDR 6 billion. The grass replacement was carried out to welcome the U-17 World Cup since FIFA has recently officially announced Indonesia as the host of the U-17 2023.
“Replacing grass at the JIS arena will require funds of around IDR 6 billion for one field; this budget is fully sourced from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing,” said the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki after visiting JIS in North Jakarta, Tuesday, 4th of July 2023.
“I haven’t had time to calculate the total funds needed, all I know is that I just asked Pak Qamal (Chairman Karya Rama Prima, Qamal Mustaqim) grass, and he said it was around Rp. 6 billion,” Basuki added.
Chairman of Karya Rama Prima Qamal Mustaqim explained the problem that the grass in the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) did not meet FIFA standards. Qamal said the grass problem at JIS was because it was planted on the synthetic carpet.
“The grass planted in the JIS area is of the japonica type, which should comply with FIFA standards; it’s just that the grass is planted on the synthetic carpet; that’s the only problem. The media is too shallow, so the roots don’t penetrate down as they should,” Qamal told a journalist at JIS Tuesday, 4th of July 2023.
Qamal, in this case, is also the agronomist for the JIS stadium. He once handled the grass at the GBK Stadium for the 2018 Asian Games. Qamal was also present at JIS when Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, and Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi carried out the review.
Furthermore, Qamal said that grass, like other plants, requires sufficient sunlight and water exposure to grow properly. Qamal explained that only some of the grass in the JIS area was exposed to enough sunlight.
“The water needs of the grass are not met because the roots are shallow, and the grass doesn’t get enough sunlight. That’s the only problem,” said Qamal
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