A landmark project for football development
The new National Football Center for the football federation of Timor-Leste has been fitted with several synthetic turf fields. All make use of Edel Grass synthetic turf top-layer.
By: Edel Grass
The new National Football Center Campo Democracia is the result of a FIFA programme aimed at strengthening national football structures and providing young players with access to high-quality training facilities. FIFA commissioned Edel Grass in 2024 to build two full-size football pitches. Both FIFA and the Football Federation of Timor-Leste (FFTL) emphasized that they should comply with the highest quality mark possible: the FIFA Quality Pro. The scope also included floodlighting, spectator stands, irrigation systems, professional substitute benches, pitch branding and infill containment solutions.
Elite-level finish
Following a thorough assessment of the local conditions by Edel Grass project managers, the project got the green light in 2025 with the fields being delivered earlier this year.
The main pitch now features an Edel Diamondblade system on a stone base. Player safety and comfort is provided by a Pro Game shock pad. The Edel Diamondblade top-layer is one of the most preferred surfaces for FIFA projects. Edel Grass has over 60 Diamondblade variations, each catering for a specific need or responding to the projected demands based on the local situation. The diamond-shaped yarn hands the fibres extreme resilience and in all directions. The field has been finished with crumb rubber infill, offering the FFTL a field that can handle significant football yet still provide a quality surface that will last for many years.
Training fields
Alongside the main field, two mini pitches were installed to support youth development, grassroots training and technical sessions. Together, the surfaces form a versatile training environment capable of supporting players at every stage of development while, at the same time, increasing the longevity of the main surface as this field now experience less wear and particularly the intensive wear synthetic turf usually experienced when set pieces are practised at the same spot regularly. The two mini pitches each have a Edel XP surface in two different tones. The use of two different tones for each field hand the field the loop of a natural grass surface.
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Turn-key solution
As a FIFA Preferred Producer, Edel Grass is selected regularly to assist FIFA in providing high-end training facilities for national associations. Edel Grass can do so as it has its own project management team that can bank for a wealth of experience. Edel Grass project managers always survey the site first before deciding on the best approach for the project and the decision about which local contractor to use. The Edel Grass project team manages the entire project which is why sub-contractors for floodlights, fencing or other finishing details experience smooth sailing when doing their bit.
The project in Timor-Leste experienced several challenges, including logistical delays and the demanding local environment. Materials such as silica sand and the synthetic turf carpet were shipped from Europe, while construction took place during periods of heavy rainfall and seasonal flooding.
Strong project management and close communication between Edel Grass, local installer Hedge Construction and other stakeholders proved essential. Through careful planning and on-site leadership, challenges were addressed effectively, keeping the project aligned with its technical and contractual objectives.
Timor-Leste did not quality for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, the delivery of a high-end national training centre gives the FA and players all over the country a reason to dream and to start establishing a plan as it all starts with a proper surface for practicing and to play games. The new National Football Center Campo Democracia now has these basics.
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