General Department of Sports urges repair of My Dinh Stadium

On the afternoon of October 1, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training Tran Duc Phan affirmed that My Dinh Stadium is being renovated to ensure quality for the Vietnamese team to play in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

"The General Department of Sports and Physical Training directed the My Dinh National Sports Complex and the Vietnam Football Federation to complete the contents of the recent meeting with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Physical Training and the General Department of Sports and Physical Training directed strongly to restore the image of My Dinh Stadium after the match between Vietnam and Australia in the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia," Mr. Phan said, adding that this is an important task. The General Department of Sports and Physical Training has specialized departments working with My Dinh Stadium three times a week, reporting on the work and progress of completion. The most drastic is the field surface and functional rooms, along with the repair and upgrading of My Dinh Stadium and the water sports area.

On September 21, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong was present at My Dinh Stadium to inspect and assess the overall situation of My Dinh Stadium, paying special attention to the field surface, functional rooms such as the referee room, changing room, VAR room, sound equipment room, medical room, doping room, press conference room, stands, etc.

According to VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh, after the match between Vietnam and Australia on September 7, the AFC gave negative reviews about My Dinh Stadium, especially the pitch, function rooms, sound, lighting...

AFC requested Vietnam to report on the progress of upgrading the pitch and functional rooms for upcoming matches. The deadline for host Vietnam to complete the upgrade of the quality of the pitch is October 28.

My Dinh Stadium has deteriorated after nearly 20 years of use without many upgrades or repairs. Photo: Hai Hoang

Race against time

Mr. Phan said that in all circumstances, the Management Board of My Dinh National Sports Complex must meet the schedule and quality to prepare for the two upcoming matches of the Vietnam team and further the 31st SEA Games, scheduled to be held in April-May 2022. Especially with the two upcoming matches at the home ground of the Vietnam team, the field and functional rooms, and auxiliary systems must ensure that they meet the requirements of AFC and FIFA.

"The contractor committed to completing the work, so we have to be present regularly to inspect and supervise. This is also part of the upgrade and repair package to prepare for the SEA Games," said Mr. Tran Duc Phan.

According to Mr. Tran Duc Phan, he personally went to My Dinh Stadium many times and directly touched the grass roots on the field. The grass roots were old, and the deeper they were cut, the more exposed the roots became. After a recent inspection, the grass surface was much better than in the match against Australia. Some areas of the grass surface still need maintenance.

"I request that such areas be zoned off so that they can receive 2-3 times better care. I think that from now until the next two matches at Vietnam's home stadium, which are 5 weeks away, the quality of the pitch will be guaranteed. If it is not guaranteed, AFC will definitely not allow the match. For now, we have also worked with Hang Day Stadium with support from My Dinh Stadium," said Mr. Phan.

Previously, after the match between Vietnam and Australia, the image of My Dinh Stadium's deterioration appeared frequently in the domestic and foreign media. Even the press and the visiting team's players criticized My Dinh Stadium's surface as ugly as... a cow pasture.

My Dinh Stadium will be renovated. Photo: Hai Hoang

Because My Dinh Stadium is in disrepair, Hai Phong Club recently decided to host 2 home matches of the Vietnam team, and sent a dispatch to the General Department of Sports and Physical Training and VFF about this. Hai Phong Club President Van Tran Hoan even promised to reward Coach Park Hang-seo and his team with 2 billion if they return to Lach Tray to play.

It is known that from September 28, the repair and upgrade work of My Dinh Stadium began to be implemented in many items to keep up with the progress reported to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and soon to the AFC, to be qualified to organize the upcoming matches of the Vietnam team at home./.