10.12.2025 20:05
After the sanctions imposed by UEFA and the betting investigation conducted by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), only the flawless pitch of Malatya Stadium, where the matches are played, remains from Yeni Malatyaspor, who decided not to take the field for the remainder of the season with 40 points.
Experiencing one of the worst seasons in its history with -40 points, Yeni Malatyaspor's recent developments following the betting investigation have further deepened the morale issues within the community, while the flawless pitch of Malatya Stadium has stood out as the only positive aspect in recent times. Çim Technician Muhammet Emin Ak, who works under the Malatya Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, shared information about the heated pitch of Malatya Stadium, stating that the visiting team coaches believe the pitch deserves matches above the standards.
'A DILIGENT WORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT'
Speaking about the maintenance preparations of the pitch before the matches, Ak said, "The impacts and injuries we receive from the matches result in maintenance work on the pitch. There are treatments and fertilizations. Of course, all of these are subject to a system and order. We do not use the fertilizers and treatments we want whenever we want. It depends on the needs of the pitch. For example, if there is a color discrepancy on the pitch, we use appropriate fertilizers. We have millimetric drawings before the matches. In other words, drawings that do not accept any mistakes. We pay great attention to them. We work with the pride that our profession gives us."
'WE KEEP IT AT 22 DEGREES'
Expressing that the maintenance of the grass requires more effort in winter, Muhammet Emin Ak stated, "All stadiums across Turkey require a bit more effort compared to summer. Currently, our pitch has an underfloor heating system that is operational. The outside conditions are of no importance to us right now. The weather can be -4 or -15, but what matters to us now is the soil temperature, the ground temperature. There is a temperature that the plant roots underground can homogeneously absorb, which is 22 degrees. We keep it fixed at 22 degrees by measuring every day for the development of the grass. In other words, the temperature at which the grass develops the most is 22 degrees of soil temperature," he expressed.
GRASSES ARE NOURISHED WITH ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT
Stating that they use an artificial sunlight system called "sunlight" in winter, Ak said, "This system operates with bulbs powered by gas taken from the sun. Generally, the southern side of stadiums in Turkey does not receive sunlight. This system provides artificial sunlight to the southern side that does not receive sunlight from above. The grass in this area grows stronger. The grass in other areas can feed itself due to sunlight, even in winter," he said.
'I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN MY PITCH'
Stating that Malatya is one of the rare cities that hosts two teams on its own pitch, Ak said, "Currently, there are very few cities in Turkey that host two teams on their pitch. Like Adanaspor, we also host two teams. Normally, stadiums where a team plays have a 14-day gap until the next match. They do all the repair work during that time. Since we have two matches, we need to work more intensively. We need to use these systems more carefully and positively. We have to be constantly on this pitch, including our weekends, by sacrificing our nights and days. Our success is entirely based on this. If we drop to a single team after next week, our workload will certainly lighten. Perhaps we will be more successful, or we will strive even harder for our pitch to reach better places. We will host larger organizations. This will be like a reward for us. I have great confidence in my pitch. Right now, having two teams playing, and the weather being this cold. If this pitch is in this condition, I believe we will also host the biggest matches on behalf of my team and myself," he concluded.