Vinh Stadium was 'whistled' by VPF, Song Lam Nghe An considers renting Ha Nam Stadium

During the postponement of V.League 2020, the issue that Nghe An football fans in particular and the whole country are most concerned about is improving the quality of Vinh's field, which is seriously degrading.

On March 22, VPF and the V.League 2020 Organizing Committee sent an official dispatch to Song Lam Nghe An Club requesting that Vinh Stadium be repaired as soon as possible during the V.League's break. Accordingly, before the 3rd round of V.League 2020, if Vinh Stadium does not renovate the grass surface, matches will not be held.

Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Hoang Minh Tam - Deputy Executive Director of SLNA Club about this issue.

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam - Deputy Executive Director of SLNA Club. Photo: TK

PV:Hello sir, the question that Vietnamese fans as well as SLNA are most curious about right now is why Vinh Stadium is in such a degraded state?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:Vinh Stadium has been in operation for over 20 years. During use, before each football match or practice, we are forced to use a roller to level the ground. Because of the long-term use of the ground, the field has become hard. All the teams that have come here to play have complained. Furthermore, when it rains, the underground drainage system does not work because it is broken. This causes the Vinh Stadium to become slippery when it rains.

PV:Could you tell me what kind of grass is currently being planted at Vinh Stadium and how it is being cared for?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:The same goes for the grass. The grass grown on Vinh Stadium is a hybrid, not like in the past. Because the team has to practice and play on the same field, the grass is degraded and of poor quality. Furthermore, the weather in Nghe An is too harsh, especially during the season. We also have a team that takes care of the grass, but we only water it manually. Therefore, it is very difficult to meet the demand. Although we take good care of it, it is still the same, if we did not take care of it, things would be worse.

Vinh Stadium is at risk of being banned from hosting matches in V.League 2020. Screenshot

PV:What about the lighting system?morning, sir?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:The lighting system is the same, it has been used for more than 20 years. It was not until 2016 that Vinh Stadium replaced some of the bulbs but still did not meet the minimum brightness requirement of 900 lux. Vinh Stadium currently has 100 bulbs on 4 columns, each column has 25 bulbs but only 10 bulbs work normally. Some of the remaining bulbs are bright but not at full capacity.

PV:As the unit managing and using Vinh Stadium to host matches in V.League, what actions has SLNA Club taken to improve the situation in the coming time? What are the difficulties of the team in maintaining Vinh Stadium? Is it a financial problem?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:Implementing the Decision of the Provincial People's Committee when handing over SLNA Club to Bac A Bank in 2009, Vinh Stadium is still owned by the Department of Culture - Sports of Nghe An. SLNA is only entitled to manage and use. During the process of the field surface and lighting system deteriorating like this, the team has also submitted a request to the Department of Culture - Sports and the Provincial People's Committee for repair and upgrade.

SLNA is having a headache with the field problem. Photo: Xuan Thuy

In 2016, thanks to co-hosting the National Phu Dong Sports Festival, Vinh Stadium was also repaired and upgraded some items such as installing chairs... However, the field surface and lighting system have not been upgraded. In 2019, SLNA Club continued to submit a proposal and as far as we know, the Provincial People's Committee has also included in the plan to upgrade the lighting system and grass surface of Vinh Stadium. Because Vinh Stadium, in addition to serving professional football organizations, also has many other functions and cultural and sports activities of the province.

During the use of Vinh Stadium, the sponsor also supported SLNA Club to repair some small items to improve the appearance of the field. Before V.League 2020, the team repainted the entire field, but for large-scale repairs, they could only rely on the Provincial People's Committee.

PV:Nghe An fans and the players themselves are also looking forward to a new look for Vinh Stadium. As for SLNA Club, how has the quality of the pitch affected the team's technical performance?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:For players, they are like singers performing on stage. When standing on a beautiful stage, they will have excitement, better football skills, and create better passes. The quality of the matches will certainly be more complete when playing on a beautiful field.

On behalf of SLNA Club, we really hope that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Nghe An and the Provincial People's Committee will soon repair and upgrade Vinh Stadium to serve the province's major events as well as the organization of the National Championship, bringing exciting matches to the audience nationwide. That is also the wish of not only SLNA team but also of many fans.

Notice from VPF, V.League 2020 Organizing Committee sent to SLNA Club.

PV:Sir, in the worst case scenario when Vinh Stadium is not allowed by VPF to continue organizing V.League 2020 competitions, what options has SLNA considered?

Mr. Hoang Minh Tam:Of course, that is not desirable, but in the current situation, we also have to consider the option of renting another field to organize the competition. Currently, Ha Tinh field is only allowed to organize the competition, Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club is also not allowed to practice there, so it cannot serve the two clubs.

As for Thanh Hoa Stadium, they also told us that their stadium is currently undergoing maintenance and upgrading of the lighting system. Therefore, if it is not held at Vinh Stadium, the only remaining option is to hold it at a stadium like Ha Nam Stadium. However, if that happens, Nghe An fans will have difficulty watching SLNA matches directly.

And if V.League returns, the organization and competition will face many difficulties. From transporting billboards, hiring security forces, renting the field, traveling and accommodation. Roughly calculated, SLNA's 12 matches in V.League 2020, not including the National Cup, will cost (according to the total budget) 1.9 billion VND/season.

PV: Yesthank you sir

“Not only Vinh Stadium but any football field, the risk of injury is inevitable for players. As a coach, any player getting injured is a big disadvantage. However, we hope that Vinh Stadium will improve its quality. When players practice and compete on a good field, they will play football more creatively and spontaneously.”

Coach Ngo Quang Truong

If V.League 2020 is canceled, how will it affect Vietnamese football?

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, Mr. Nguyen Hup - Chairman of Quang Nam Club said that in the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, V.League 2020 should be canceled. Currently, VPF has not responded to this opinion.