Tuvalu Sports Ground
 | |
| Location | Funafuti, Tuvalu |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,500 |
| Surface | Coral |
| Tenants | |
|
FC Manu Laeva FC Nanumaga FC Niutao FC Tofaga Lakena United Nauti FC Nui Tamanuku Tuvalu national football team | |
Tuvalu Sports Ground is a multi-use stadium in Funafuti, Tuvalu. It is currently used mostly for football and rugby matches. The stadium holds 1,500 people. It is the only stadium in Tuvalu so all football tournaments are played at the stadium: A-Division; Independence Cup; NBT Cup; Tuvalu Games and also the Christmas Cup. The Tuvalu national football team draws from players in the Tuvalu A-Division; with the national team training at the Tuvalu Sports Ground.
The first large scale system for renewable energy in Tuvalu is a 40 kW solar panel installation on the roof of the Tuvalu Sports Ground stands.[1][2] This grid-connected 40 kW solar system was established in 2008 by the E8 and Japan Government through Kansai Electric Company (Japan) and contributes 1% of electricity production on Funafuti.[3] Future plans include expanding this plant to 60 kW.
Stadium story
The islands of Tuvalu are narrow atolls composed of coral so that a football field could only be located at the broadest part of the main island of Funafuti.
The football field on Tuvalu is built on a coral base, without grass, which is a difficult surface on which to play football. River clay was shipped in from Fiji to create a surface on which grass will grow. This improved the football fields condition although the surface remains hard and is not uniformly flat.
Tuvaluan football players are technically strong and are able to control the ball on the difficult surface of the Tuvalu Sports Ground field.
The Tuvalu National Football Association has been wanting to be a member of FIFA since 1987.[4] However the lack of football facilities in Tuvalu is a major obstacle membership of FIFA. The Tuvalu Sports Ground is not a stadium that is suitable for holding international games because Tuvalu does not have any training grounds or hotels for visiting teams and supporters.[5][6][7]
Coordinates: 8°31′26″S 179°11′55″E / 8.52389°S 179.19861°E
References
- ↑ Collins, Terry (19 July 2009). "Tuvalu hopes solar project inspires climate talks; nation sets goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2020". Eurek Alert!. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ↑ "Drowning island pins hopes on clean energy". CNN EcoSolutions. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ↑ Andrew McIntyre; Brian Bell & Solofa Uota (February 2012). ""Fakafoou – To Make New": Tuvalu Infrastructure Strategy and Investment Plan" (PDF). Government of Tuvalu. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ↑ "Tuvalu eye place in football family". FIFA. September 22, 2008
- ↑ Frew, Craig (9 December 2013). "Tuvalu still dreams of joining Fifa's world football family". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ↑ "No sports ground, no hotels so no to FIFA for Tuvalu – OFC". Radio Australia. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ↑ "OFC hits back at Tuvalu over FIFA bid". Australia Network News. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.