| The Ladies Makis (green) are aiming for two home victories to qualify for the World Cup. |
Emissaries from Rugby Africa and World Rugby will come to Madagascar on April 28. They will visit the Andohatapenaka stadium, the approval of which is on track.
Eleven days before the start of the Africa Women’s Cup 2024 rugby union, which Madagascar will host from May 4 to 12 at the Makis stadium in Andohatapenaka, Marcel Rakotomalala, president of Malagasy Rugby, present on the field yesterday, spoke assured of the progress of the maintenance work on the stadium, approval of which is almost certain and acquired before the opening of the Africa Women’s Cup. The objective for Madagascar is to secure one of the two qualifying places for the 2025 World Cup.
The last official competition played at the Andohatapenaka stadium dates back to April 7, during the Top 12 match. Since then, no matches have been played and all competitions have been suspended. The objective is to have a worthy and presentable field for the continental joust.
“At present, the preparation of the Makis Stadium in Andohatapenaka has been completed. We have scrupulously followed the recommendations of Rugby Africa and World Rugby. All holes and potholes have been filled to prevent any injuries when tackling, running or falling on the field. Landscapers and turf specialists supervise the work on a daily basis, ensuring that every centimeter complies with the required standards,” confides Marcel Rakotomalala.
Improvements
And he continues: “Compared to the previous year, improvements have been made this year, in particular with regard to the dimensions of the land which have been reduced compared to 2023. With the work already carried out, I can say that we “We will not encounter any obstacles regarding the approval of the Andohatapenaka stadium,” assures Marcel Rakotomalala.
The rugby union pitch is a rectangular grassy area, comprising a playing area whose length (100 meters) corresponds to that of the touchlines, and width (70 meters) corresponds to that of the goal lines. On each side of the playing area, beyond the goal line, a dead ball line demarcates the goal zone (22 meters maximum) in relation to the latter.
“In addition to finalizing work on the dimensions of the land, work on the protection grid will begin from today. We will install fences to prevent the pitch from being invaded after the match. All the equipment is already on site, and by the arrival of the emissaries, all the work will be completed. Improvements have been made to access to the central stand and the stands by the creation of stairs to facilitate the entry and exit of spectators. »
Condition of the lawn with natural lawns
Leveling the terrain to avoid running injuries
New tracing on the size of the land
Implementation of new goal
Fence of the land.
Donné Raherinjatovo
