Havana/Last Tuesday the La Polar stadium in Havana was reopened, after an investment of 3,000,000 dollars donated by the International Football Federation (FIFA) between 2017 and 2024. However, the emblematic installation leaves much to be desired. The renewable energy system from solar panels is not enough to illuminate the development of matches at night and the artificial grass is not suitable for carrying out international games.
Even more, this Wednesday, some workers continued to polish the floor of the newly renovated sports center and built in 1929 with the sponsorship of the famous La Polar brewery. They are “finishing repairing some things so that it is a little better,” said one of the workers to 14ymedio In the middle of the hustle that still shows in the area.
The emblematic installation leaves much to be desired
The field that official media stood out as the facilities in which new generations of players will be formed after 12 years of restoration last year received a budget injection of 1,700,000 dollars. The FIFA delivered the money to the Cuba Soccer Association (AFC) through the Forward 3.0 project, which supports football facilities and projects.
With the investment, new dressing rooms were built with air conditioning for players and referees; In addition, the showers and bathrooms were restored. In the complex offices were also built. In the surrounding area on the pitch, benches were placed for players and referees, the area of the stands near the field was also roofed. The place also has a wide perimeter fence and parking lot.
FIFA gave money to the Cuba Soccer Association through the Forward 3.0 project
The sports authorities stood out last Tuesday, at the polar reopening ceremony, the renovation of hydraulic networks for the watering of the field, with a tank capable of storing large volumes of water and supporting any unforeseen interruption of the supply. The statement has caused doubts among Havana, knowledgeable about the serious supply problems faced by the city.
Before the constant blackouts on the island, the field has renewable energy from solar panels. This, said the ruling party, has “an impact on the community”, when benefiting from the aforementioned hydraulic networks and the paving of access to the enclave.
/ 14ymedio
Despite the photovoltaic system, “it will not be able to play at night,” said the AFC Development Director last January, Yulier Herranz. The official advanced to Cubavisión that the polar “will be left for the Academy of Havana, for class A matches, but to play day (…) The lights, rather, are for training, not for 4K transmissions.”
The same manager recognized last Tuesday that because the polar has artificial grass, “he cannot house international matches.” So you are working on the possibility of “removing the synthetic blanket” that In 2017 it was placed Thanks to one of the FIFA investments, that, previous, for $ 1,300,000.
Several of the blocks to reach the polar from 51 avenue have been fixed. However, this removal contrasts with the surroundings of the large bridges zone, where deterioration and infrastructure failures shake hands. A wall with the legend: “The revolution is today’s demand and the demand of the future”, by Raúl Castro, welcomes those who approach the sports field that contrasts with the crazy houses around them.
