Al Ahly’s Nasr City Pitches with YARDEX USA Turf and Exclusive Virgin EPDM Infill — A First in Egypt

Al Ahly’s Nasr City Pitches with YARDEX USA Turf and Exclusive Virgin EPDM Infill — A First in Egypt

In a new milestone reinforcing its position as a leading sports infrastructure developer, Abaza Sports Group has delivered two new 5-a-side pitches for Al Ahly SC at the Nasr City branch, using high-density YARDEX USA artificial turf certified to FIFA Quality Pro standards and infilled with virgin green EPDM rubber granules — an exclusive application, the first of its kind in Egypt.

A Partnership That Delivers: From Sheikh Zayed to Nasr City

Abaza Sports Group’s successful delivery of Al Ahly’s Sheikh Zayed branch pitches, using DOMO GRASS artificial turf, led the club to select the company once again for its new project at the Nasr City branch. The decision reflects renewed confidence in Abaza’s ability to deliver to international standards.

But this project is not a repeat. Abaza Sports Group introduced an element never before used in Egypt: virgin green EPDM infill, combined with American-made YARDEX USA turf — an exclusive technical combination available only through Abaza in the Egyptian market.

Project Details: What Abaza Sports Group Delivered

Item	Specification
Number of pitches	2
Pitch type	5-a-side
Official dimensions	22 m × 42 m per pitch
Area per pitch	924 m²
Turf type	High-density YARDEX USA artificial turf
Certification	FIFA Quality Pro
Infill type	Virgin colored EPDM (green) — exclusive
Civil works	Site preparation, grading, base works
Infrastructure	Fencing, posts, floodlights, perimeter netting

A regulation 5-a-side pitch measures 22 meters wide by 42 meters long, covering 924 square meters per pitch. The two pitches together cover 1,848 square meters of high-density artificial turf, delivered by Abaza Sports Group end-to-end, from foundation to handover.

The Exclusive Innovation: How Abaza Sports Group Introduced Virgin EPDM to Egypt for the First Time

What Is EPDM?

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer — a virgin synthetic rubber, not recycled tire rubber. It is used as infill in artificial turf to fill the gaps between turf fibers, providing elasticity and shock absorption.

EPDM vs Traditional SBR

Criterion	Traditional SBR	Virgin EPDM
Source	Recycled tires	Virgin raw rubber
Odor	Noticeable chemical fumes, especially in heat	Zero odor
Shock absorption	Lower	Higher
UV stability	Degrades over time	High stability
Appearance	Inconsistent color	Uniform green finish
Heavy metals	Higher levels	Lower levels
PAHs and VOCs	Higher levels	Lower levels

Scientific Evidence

According to a comprehensive review published by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) in November 2025, EPDM and TPE infills typically contain lower concentrations of metals, PAHs, and VOCs compared with crumb rubber, indicating likely reduced health risks.

Why Abaza Sports Group Chose EPDM

Reason 1: Safety.
Sports pitches in Egypt face a dual challenge: high heat and intense UV radiation. Under these conditions, SBR degrades faster and releases chemical odors. The virgin EPDM used by Abaza Sports Group withstands these conditions without deterioration.

Reason 2: Appearance.
Green infill gives the pitch a unified, cohesive look — unlike the inconsistent black or gray finish produced by traditional SBR.

Reason 3: International Certification.
Virgin EPDM is compatible with the FIFA Quality Programme, making the pitch eligible to host matches under international standards.

The Abaza Method: From Foundation to Surface

At Abaza Sports Group, we see a pitch not as a surface alone, but as an integrated system:

Phase 1: Site Preparation and Civil Works

Ground grading.
Structural works.
Base preparation.

Phase 2: Systems and Materials Selection

High-density YARDEX USA artificial turf.
Virgin colored EPDM infill.
Lighting and netting systems.

Phase 3: Final Execution

Turf installation.
Precise infill distribution.
FIFA Quality Pro-compliant handover.

Abaza Sports Group: Numbers, Not Slogans

Over 400 youth centers in the government sector, covering more than 400,000 square meters.
Over 80 sports projects in the petroleum sector, covering more than 100,000 square meters.
Partnerships with leading companies such as Petro Sport, Petrojet, and Petrobel.
Partnership with Stockmeier Urethanes to deliver FIFA-standard artificial turf solutions.

Talk to Our Engineering Team

Request a free feasibility study for your pitch.

Our engineering team is available to discuss:

Abaza Sports Group | WAY OF EXCELLENCE

What is virgin EPDM?

Virgin EPDM is raw, unrecycled rubber used as artificial turf infill. It is odor-free, offers higher impact absorption than traditional SBR, and is compatible with the FIFA Quality Programme.

Is the turf FIFA-certified?

Yes. The project holds FIFA Quality Pro certification, making both pitches eligible to host matches under international standards.

How many pitches were built at Nasr City?

Two adjacent 5-a-side pitches, each measuring 22 × 42 meters, delivered entirely by Abaza Sports Group.

What is the difference between EPDM and SBR?

EPDM is virgin raw rubber, while SBR is recycled tire rubber. EPDM is superior in safety (lower heavy metals), UV stability, appearance (uniform color), and odor elimination.