By Micheal Ainomugisha
Artificial football pitches have become a common sight around the world. In Uganda, their rise has sparked heated debates among players, coaches, and sports enthusiasts. While synthetic surfaces are praised for their durability, lower maintenance costs, and all-weather usability, concerns about their safety, particularly their potential to cause injuries, persist. But do these concerns hold water?
The Local Scene: Voices from Ugandan Football
In Uganda, football is more than a sport; it’s a passion. As artificial pitches proliferate, stories of injuries among players have surfaced. Bernard Muwanga of KCCA Club, for instance, ended up on loan due to injuries he attributed to artificial turf. His teammate, Nunda Jackson, echoed similar sentiments, blaming the synthetic surface for his injury woes.
In a 2020 article by the Daily Monitor, the injuries of KCCA players were scrutinized, suggesting a possible link to the artificial pitch. Onyango, a seasoned player, voiced his concerns in a Bukedde TV interview, stating, “Players easily get injured on artificial turfs. I started playing football at Nakivubo when it had natural grass. The modern artificial turf just isn’t the same.”
Dr. Isaac Ssenoga from NEC FC pointed out specific injuries associated with artificial turf, like “turf toe,” a sprain in the big toe. He highlighted the financial burden of treating such injuries, with costs ranging from 5 to 14 million Ugandan shillings. “It’s true playing on the turf brings discomfort in the ankles and knees, and when it’s too hot, the smell that comes out of it causes breathing issues for players,” he said. “The surface is hard, so the body applies a lot of force to the joints, especially during acceleration.”
Personal Experiences: Insights from Former Players
Retired footballer Yuda Mugalu shared his experiences, stating, “Artificial turfs aren’t good for professional footballers; the hard surface causes
lots of injury scares.” He now runs a business of small 7-a-side pitches and noted that younger players, who exert less force, seem less affected by the turf.
Yusuf Ssozi, a former Police FC and Uganda Cranes player, recounted his battle with an ACL injury. “I spent about 12 million shillings on my surgery alone,” he said, emphasizing the lack of proper conditioning facilities in Uganda. He advocated for regulated playing time on artificial surfaces, suggesting more training sessions on natural pitches.
What Does the Research Say?
Globally, studies have produced mixed results. A 2013 study in Portugal found a higher rate of injury problems on artificial surfaces among amateur footballers. Conversely, a study in the USA showed a lower injury incidence rate among female collegiate footballers on synthetic turf.
The British Journal of Sports Medicine’s study of 202 players from the Swedish Premier League found no significant difference in injuries between artificial and natural surfaces. While ankle sprains were more common on artificial turf, the overall injury rate during matches was lower.
A 2017 study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine examined injuries on poorly maintained artificial fields. It found a decrease in ankle sprains initially, followed by an increase until additional infill was added. Notably, upper extremity trauma increased on artificial surfaces.
The Expert Opinion: Mixed Views on Turf Safety
The debate extends beyond players to experts and officials. Ali Mwebe, a football development officer at FUFA, emphasized the importance of the surface’s hardness, noting that a proper artificial turf should have shock absorption properties to protect athletes’ joints. He stressed that “the turf is star-rated one to three, with the latter highly soft with shock absorption.”
Dr. Prince Pombo, a sports and exercise physician and member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) medical committee, urged clubs to implement measures to mitigate injuries. He advised players to enhance their speed, as “the ball moves fast on artificial turfs,” and suggested using short passes to avoid overstretching.
Ssenoga suggested regulating playing time on these surfaces and recommended more training sessions on natural pitches, even for clubs hosting games on artificial turfs. “Constantly watering the surface, especially during the heat season, can make it more usable,” he added.
Mitigating Injury Risks
Preventing injuries on artificial turf involves several strategies. Proper footwear is crucial, as highlighted by Dr. James Bradley, chief orthopaedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He noted, “What the problem is, we think, is the shoe-surface interface.” Dr. Jason Dragoo added, “Decreased traction may cause a decrease in performance, but it could reduce injury risk.”
International Perspective: FIFA and CAF Regulations
Globally, the concerns over artificial turf have reached football’s highest governing bodies. FIFA, for example, requires stadiums to install natural grass for major tournaments. For the 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, eight of the 16 stadiums, which typically use artificial turf, will be required to install temporary natural grass surfaces. “The pitch shall feature a natural grass playing surface,” FIFA’s bidding requirements state.
In 2023, FIFA mandated that only natural grass fields be used for the Women’s World Cup. This decision followed controversy over the use of artificial turf at the 2015 tournament in Canada, where players claimed the artificial surface was less forgiving than grass, impacted the game due to injury concerns, and caused the ball to travel and bounce differently.
Similarly, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has regulations against the use of artificial turf for high-level matches. CAF does not permit stadiums with artificial surfaces to host ‘CAF category 1’ matches, underscoring the ongoing debate about the safety and suitability of synthetic pitches.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach
The evidence on whether artificial pitches cause more injuries than grass is inconclusive. However, the experiences of Ugandan players and experts suggest a cautious approach. Clubs should consider regulating playing time on artificial surfaces and ensure proper maintenance. Players should use appropriate footwear and work on their speed to match the pace of the game on synthetic turf.
While artificial pitches offer undeniable benefits, their use in professional football warrants careful consideration to safeguard players’ health and careers. As the debate continues, the priority should remain clear: minimizing injury risks and ensuring a safe playing environment for all athletes.
