Mon, May 20, 2013 19:22:33 PM
Bangkok Post
Mon, May 20, 2013 19:22:33 PM
Bangkok Post
Fifa has given Thailand until Monday to complete the Bangkok Futsal Arena if it is to be used during the World Cup which kicks off Thursday.
On the eve of the 2012 tournament Wednesday, Fifa announced that it would permit Thailand to use the new stadium in Nong Chok district subject to a number of conditions."We will make our final inspection on Nov 5," said Manilal Fernando, chairman of Fifa organising committee of the 2012 World Cup.The conditions include a reduction in the stadium's capacity from 12,000 to 10,000 by closing the fifth storey to the public, completing all security procedures, preparing an emergency evacuation plan, arranging appropriate insurance, and finalising a CCTV system.In addition, the pitch, which is not currently in place, needs to be ready in time for the inspection, Mr Fernando said.Officials are mulling three options to complete the pitch — using a transportable pitch being flown in from Italy, or installing parquet flooring from either Taiwan or Malaysia.Thai football chief Worawi Makudi said a substitution plan is in place should the new stadium not be finished in time.The stadium is being built by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).Wasant Meewong, BMA spokesman, said the flooring will be completed in one or two days.If approved, it will host quarter-final and semi-final matches as well as the final on Nov 18.
EARLIER REPORT:
Bangkok Futsal Arena to host finalsBANGKOK - The international football federation (Fifa) has approved the use of the new Bangkok Futsal Arena quarter-final matches of the Futsal World Cup 2012 on the condition that everything in the stadium, including the wooden flooring, must be completed by Nov 5.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is in charge of building the Bangkok Futsal Arena. The 1.2-billion-baht stadium, located on 10 rai of land in Nong Chok district, is designed to seat up to 12,500 spectators, far more than the 5,000 capacity of the Nimibutr Gymnasium at Pathumwan's National Stadium and the 6,000 at Hua Mak Indoor Stadium.
BMA spokesman Wasan Meewong said on Wednesday that the flooding late last year delayed the work, leaving the flooring and seating on the fourth and fifth floors behind schedule.
Mr Wasan said the wooden flooring had now arrived from Malaysia and Taiwan. City workers were removing the old floor tiles and will lay the new flooring, which will cover an area of 1,250 square metres.
Other flooring materials bought from Italy will arrive on Friday and should be laid out within a couple of days, he said.
"The BMA would like to thank Fifa for granting permission to use the Bangkok Futsal Arena because the BMA has been doing its best to build it despite some obstacles," Mr Wasan said.
He claimed it was initially estimated that the stadium would take more than 500 days to construct, but the BMA had completed it within 270 days.
Due to the fast-paced construction, Bangkok Governor Sukumbhand Paribatra had issued special instructions for inspections to ensure the stadium's structural integrity, the spokesman said.
Tests had been made on electrical installations and other public utilities, security measures, restrooms, medical facilities, traffic flow, seating and the giant television screens.
Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi and representatives from the BMA and Fifa were at the Wednesday press briefing to annolunce the decision.
The Futsal World Cup 2012 will kick off at Hua Mak Indoor Stadium on Thursday, Nov 1. The quarter-final matches will take place on Nov 14, 16 and 18 at the Bangkok Futsal Arena, followed by the semis and the final.
On Oct 15, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra slept at the construction site of the long-delayed Bangkok Futsal Arena in a show of support for the workers. Construction delays cast doubts over whether it would be finished in time.
(Video by Chumporn Sangvilert)
