Gujarat's first GTD Pitch launched
Apollo Tyres inaugurates Gujarat’s first ‘Go The Distance’ Pitch in Ahmedabad
Leading tyre maker, Apollo Tyres continued with its commitment towards development of football at the grassroot level in India, and sustainability, by inaugurating Gujarat’s first Go The Distance Pitch in Ahmedabad. Go the Distance (GTD) Pitch is a sustainable initiative by Apollo Tyres using 100% repurposed rubber from its own tyres to create the playing surface for artificial football pitches.
Apollo Tyres has been working towards a sustainable model to create access to sports and fitness. Apollo Tyres has previously launched pitches across 14 different venues. The first Go the Distance pitch was opened near the North Stand of the iconic Old Trafford in Manchester, home of Apollo Tyres’ partner Manchester United Football Club.
The 15th GTD Pitch launched today in Ahmedabad, in partnership with the Hotfut Sports Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, joins the growing network of repurposed tyre-based sports facilities across India, The United Kingdom and Thailand. This momentous occasion witnessed the presence of Aditi Chauhan, Goalkeeper for the Indian National Women's Team, and Robin Singh, former member of the Indian National Men's Team. Their participation underscores the importance of such initiatives in promoting sports, especially football, at the grassroots level and fostering sustainable practices.
Commenting on the inauguration of the pitch, Vikram Garga, Group Head, Marketing, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said “We are excited to launch Gujarat’s first GTD Pitch in Ahmedabad, contributing to both grassroots football development and environmental conservation. By collaborating with esteemed athletes like Aditi Chauhan and Robin Singh, we aim to inspire young athletes and communities to engage in sports while being mindful of our planet’s well-being.”
The 15th GTD Pitch will enable several integrations such as Apollo Tyres’ United We Play programme with Manchester United Soccer School, academy programmes with Hotfut, and several other grassroots development initiatives.
Each of these football pitches use approximately 1,500 car tyres. The tyres are shredded into usable crumb rubber to layer the pitches. Around 7,500 Kgs of crumb rubber has been used in a 160 ft x 90 ft football pitch. This helps create a safer ground and enhances the quality of the pitches.
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