ISLAMABAD, June 3 – The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has finalized all arrangements, including the installation of advanced lighting, at Jinnah Stadium for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on June 6. An official from the PSB confirmed the completion of preparations on Sunday.
“The lighting system at the stadium meets all necessary standards, with the lux levels being recorded for reference. The lighting is the best we have,” the PSB official told Dawn.
During a recent visit to Jinnah Stadium, it was observed that approximately 250 lights had been installed to ensure optimal visibility for the Group ‘G’ match. Alongside the lighting improvements, significant renovations have been undertaken, including the establishment of three state-of-the-art glass boxes for VVIP spectators. Additionally, the changing rooms and dugouts have been upgraded to enhance the facilities.
The Pakistan Football Federation’s Normalisation Committee had previously expressed concerns about the lighting quality, with speculation that the match might be relocated to a neutral venue. In response, IPC Minister Rana Sanaullah and other senior officials directed the PSB to ensure top-class arrangements for the June 6 match.
“Following these directives, we have spared no effort to make the necessary improvements. I can confidently state that Jinnah Stadium is now equipped to host a FIFA World Cup match,” asserted another PSB official.
A FIFA official, who visited the stadium, also expressed satisfaction with the preparations. “The glass boxes look amazing,” he remarked.
To accommodate the spectators, around 4,000 new chairs have been added, increasing the stadium’s capacity to approximately 40,000. Measures have also been taken to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply during the game.
The Pakistan team, led by head coach Stephen Constantine, is currently holding a training camp in Islamabad in preparation for their final Group ‘G’ matches against Saudi Arabia on June 6 and Tajikistan on June 11.