DATE: 9th October, 2020
INSPECTION COMPANY: Green Grass Technology Gh Ltd.
GENERAL OBSERVATION
The stadium on the whole looked quite clean on the pitch and stands.
However the following detailed observations needing immediate attention were as follow:
1.The pitch was very bushy, with heavy invasion of weeds.
2. Wide patches of yellowing and browning of grass seen were indications of serious soil nutrient deficiencies e.g. of nitrogen.
3.There was a lot of thatch or debris beneath the grass, which could inhibit efficient and effective aeration, drainage and percolation of water.
4. There was evidence of ponding in certain areas, showing the inefficiency of the the drains, which could have been blocked by sand and the other materials, and or due to the undulations and patches of low spots seen.
5. Widespread infestation of insects were also noticed.
6. However soil structure was good generally; no serious clay content tested by tactile appraisal (touch).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The following sequence of operations is suggested to render the pitch playable soonest:
1. Selective weedicide and insecticide should concurrently be sprayed.
2. Mowing should follow, to hugely reduce or minimise the vertical growth of grass and encourage lateral growth of same, to improve the spread and cover.
3. Raking would have to follow to remove almost all debris and improve aeration, drainage and percolation of water.
4. Appropriate tools such as forks should be used to further enhance the aeration effort.
5. Top-dressing with sand/soil would also even out the low spots.
6. Fertilisation with appropriate fertilizers would be needed to improve the nutritional status of the soil, to in turn improve grass density and desirable green colour.
7. Rodding of the concrete drains would free the drains of debris, allow flow to prevent stagnation of water in certain areas on the pitch.
8. Finally the pitch must rolled to complete the levelling up of same, to ensure, among others alluded to above, good ball bounce and flow or movement.
CONCLUSION
If the remedies are attended to expeditiously, the stadium could be used for the pending League and other sports events.