Ex-Manchester United skipper inaugurates Apollo’s modern football pitch in Mumbai

As a part of its association with 20-times English champions Manchester United, Apollo Tyres inaugurated India’s first ‘Go The Distance’ football pitch in Powai, Mumbai, in the presence of the club’s global ambassador Bryan Robson, on Thursday. The first such pitch, created using recycled rubber, has been installed right outside the home ground of Manchester United, Old Trafford, in the United Kingdom.

The tyre manufacturer claims that the pitch has been created using 100 per cent recycled rubber from its tyres with around 10 tonnes of rubber from almost 2200 tyres being used in the process. The football pitch has been specifically designed around three key challenges incorporating control, agility, and accuracy, which are the key performance aspects for Apollo Tyres’ products, the company said during the launch.

The former England international and two-time English Premier League winner Robson, who also relived his playing days during the event, said, “Go The Distance pitch is a very good platform provided by Apollo Tyres and Manchester United, which will help encourage the next generation of football talent, and allows us to engage further with the local community.”

On the behalf of the tyre maker, Apollo Tyre’s President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Satish Sharma added, “This pitch in Mumbai, and the Go The Distance playgrounds in Chennai, created using end-of-life tyres, in addition to our increased focus on tyre retreading, is a proof of our commitment towards the cause. This Go The Distance pitch will also be available to the youth from the local communities to test out and hone their football skills.”

Apollo Tyres has associated with Kick For All Academy for the upkeep and maintenance, and proper utilisation of this modern pitch.