Jinnah Stadium To Receive Floodlights For FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has commenced the installation of new floodlights at Jinnah Stadium, addressing delays by the stadium administration since October, when Pakistan secured a historic 1-0 victory over Cambodia in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 1.

Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia is scheduled to visit Pakistan on June 6 for the fifth match of Group G in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 2, a highly anticipated event for Pakistani football enthusiasts.

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According to sources within the administration, approximately 225 floodlights will be installed to meet the requirements of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegation, which is set to inspect the stadium on April 6, ahead of Pakistan’s match against Saudi Arabia.

The deadline to submit the venue for Pakistan’s clash against Saudi Arabia is April 7, with the delegation arriving for inspection a day prior.

Additionally, new seats will be installed in the VIP area, with seating potentially extending to accommodate around 300 individuals.

Deputy Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, Muhammad Shahid Islam, will oversee the inspection and testing of the floodlights tonight, ensuring preparations are on track ahead of the AFC delegation visit.

The installation of floodlights was previously highlighted as a critical requirement by Haroon Malik, President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee, who emphasized FIFA standards necessitating 1800 lumens for stadium floodlights. Despite challenges and delays in the past, efforts are underway to ensure timely completion of the installation process, although the execution remains a significant concern.