Korean-style paddy field grass that does not look good and is actually dangerous. Is this a problem that can be solved? In order to solve the long-standing problems of the soccer world, ‘farm craftsmen’ gathered.
At 2 p.m. on the 20th, a symposium on ways to improve the K-League ground was held in the auditorium of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Leading experts in Korea on grass appeared. Shim Sang-ryeol, a professor of environmental landscape studies at Cheongju University, was in charge of the forum, and Kim Jae-hoo, deputy director of Ulsan Facilities Corporation, Choi Kyu-young, president of Cheonan City Corporation, Kim Kyung-nam, a professor of environmental design at Samyuk University, and Ryu Joo-hyun, director of the Environmental Design Institute.
The symposium began with Professor Shim Sang-ryul’s greetings. In the first two hours, four panelists presented their own themes. Deputy Chief Kim Jae-hoo talked about the current state of Munsu Football Stadium and how to manage grass in the future, and Choi Kyu-young expressed his views on improving the management status of grass at Cheonan Sports Complex and the treatment of managers. Professor Kim Kyung-nam gave an overall explanation of the soil environment and grass quality in domestic stadiums, and Director Ryu Joo-hyun provided information on the strategic approach of domestic grass management through examples of overseas stadiums.
Kim Jae-hoo expressed his bitterness that this is a place that is never easy to manage, citing the worst lighting conditions at Munsu Football Stadium. In the meantime, he also mentioned that he continues to make fierce efforts to overcome his weaknesses through the use of growth lights or grass transplantation. Ulsan Facilities Management Corporation plans to review grass growth technologies that can be transplanted to Korea during a business trip to Tokyo, Japan soon.
Choi Kyu-young emphasized the importance of ventilation at narrow intervals and stressed the urgent need to improve the treatment of grass managers. The main point was that as many people work under poor conditions, their professionalism will continue to decline and the possibility of attracting good talent will decrease. Professor Kim Kyung-nam then delivered his thoughts on the Korean-style grass that he has studied throughout his life from a broad perspective. Finally, Director Ryu Joo-hyun took the examples of Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur and gave a presentation on the cutting-edge technology of grass. Director Ryu Joo-hyun added that Korea also needs some investment.
Discussions followed after the presentation of each panel. Key topics included overcoming the limitations of Korean paper lawns and minimizing damage to grass in the summer, reviewing the introduction of new varieties and orchid lawns or overseeding methods, the impact of differences in stadium structure on grass growth, hybrid grass chapters and disadvantages, and domestic application considerations, and managing grass protection when holding concerts in the stadium.
Kim Jae-hoo said, “I want to see a lot of things on my business trip to Japan. There is a difference between Japan and us. It will be difficult to apply the Japanese directly to the stadium,” emphasizing that the development of Korean-style grass is the ultimate showdown. Professor Kim Kyung-nam also added that Korea’s climate is particularly tricky to manage grass, saying, “In the current situation, we will have to take on new challenges, but it is true that practical choices are not easy.”
The direction of introducing hybrid grass seemed to be consistent with the majority. Director Ryu Joo-hyun said, “Korea needs hybrid grass to some extent. Comparing the number of games played annually with famous European leagues, the K-League is second to none. I think it is necessary to develop hybrid grass technology that fits the domestic situation,” he affirmed. Professor Kim Kyung-nam insisted on introducing the system, saying, “It is right that hybrid grass is needed. However, as the Korea Football Association did in the past in preparing for the 2002 FIFA (International Football Federation) Korea-Japan World Cup, a research organization specializing in grass is needed.”
“The reason we don’t oppose hybrid grass is because there are few injuries. There are mats on the grass, so even if it becomes a paddy field, the grass won’t be pushed back. We have to see the cost.” Professor Shim Sang-ryul, who was the leader of the group, said, “온라인바카라 The key is how to get through the summer. Research on hybrid grasses. We should not introduce what we use in Europe as it is. We need to study various methods and find something that fits our current situation. Various experiments are needed,” he said, complaining of difficulties in Korean grass studies.
A considerable number of panelists were not very knowledgeable among those who attended the symposium. An audience member who revealed himself to have left the World Cup Stadium in Seoul said, “After all, what are you going to do next summer? Also, is it right to maintain the league schedule? Lawn heating system cannot solve everything. Lawn problem cannot be solved by individual stadiums. We need help from the KFA and the Korea Professional Football Association. It is not a problem that can be solved by just one symposium.”
When asked about the introduction of the K-League’s Autumn Spring Festival, the panelists were also split. “It’s the same whether it’s summer off or winter off. I think the old method is better. Spectators cannot come in cold winter,” said Choi Kyu-young. “I can’t give you a clear opinion on the issue. However, if the season is operated in winter, an automatic heating system should be introduced. It will not cost a penny or two,” he said. “I think it would be better to reduce the number of games than to stop the summer schedule altogether.”