Embarrassing pitch situation could have been prevented

When the National Stadium was being built, there was much hype. But now, instead of having a world-class stadium that we all can be proud of, we are now hanging our heads in shame and embarrassment.

We have had the Brazilian and Japanese football coaches criticise the state of the National Stadium pitch. Italian giants Juventus were also worried that their star player Carlos Tevez would be injured and did not let him play against the Singapore Selection team on Aug 16, the first football match to be played at the newly-built stadium.

Even some of our own national team football players have voiced their displeasure.

Now, even the Jay Chou concert — originally scheduled for Nov 8 — has to give way and be postponed because of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 tournament, which starts on Nov 23, while a rugby exhibition match may be rescheduled, too.

This situation could surely have been prevented — it is not as if the dates of the events were known to organisers only recently.

Even if the pitch turned out to be in perfect condition, the concert might still have been postponed, because of the AFF rule that no events should be organised at least 15 days before the start of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 Tournament, to ensure the pitch is in good condition.

Such clashes are easily preventable and someone should have checked.