Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the National Stadium named after Tofig Bahramov after major overhaul and reconstruction

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the National Stadium named after Tofig Bahramov after major overhaul and reconstruction.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the stadium.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov informed the President of Azerbaijan that the major overhaul and reconstruction of the stadium covering 85,700 square meters were carried out by the South Korean company Samhwa Telecom. The number of seats in the stadium has been increased from 29,870 to 31,200 and the turf of the football pitch reconstructed in full compliance with FIFA standards. Land support work was carried out below the turf area, a new drainage system and a special German heating system installed.

The reconstruction of the stadium turf has been carried out using special seeds imported from the Netherlands. The running track around the stadium has been covered with a special coating brought from Germany.

The old floodlight supports have been dismantled and a modern lighting system installed.

It was indicated that in order to cover the seats from precipitation, a spatial frame brought from the Republic of Korea has been mounted over them. The frame is fully covered with a 30,000-square meter membrane coating which is resistant to fire and other impacts.

It was also noted that there are 16 ten-seat “family boxes” in the stands. In the upper section of the stands there is a large monitor. There are also 500 special booths fitted with the necessary equipment for the press.

The President was informed that under the stands there are locker rooms for four teams, toilets, showers, a conference hall, rooms for coaches and referees, a medical room, doping control and other auxiliary facilities. There are rooms for security control and monitoring and commentator booths. All the rooms are equipped with modern fire safety and central ventilation systems. A special elevator has been installed to facilitate the access of the handicapped to the stands.

It was indicated that the VIP building and stands have also been renovated. There is a 205-seat restaurant equipped with Turkish furniture here. It was also noted that an additional football pitch for training has been reconstructed and a building with changing rooms, toilets and showers built.

It was also mentioned that a boiler-house has been built in order to provide heat to the turf heating system. A system of turnstiles has been installed at the entrance enabling the passage of 50 people at a time. There is now a 30-meter electronic monitor on the façade of the stadium. The 44 new lighting poles are fitted with security cameras and sound-amplifying speakers. The internal and external power, water supply and sanitation lines, communications, the Internet network and gas lines of the stadium have been completely remodeled. Landscaping has been carried out on an area of 2,000 square meters.

The President praised the work done in the stadium and gave relevant instructions and recommendations.