Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan Offical Match Programme

STADIUM OPENING

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The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park LEW FIIR SJƤGMEPP] STIRIH F] *-*% 4VIWMHIRX +MERRM Infantino. The launch of the redeveloped ground was staged TVMSV XS 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV against San Marino last month. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among the guests at the opening ceremony hosted by Irish FA President David Martin. Mr Infantino said: “With this project the Irish Football Association is both safeguarding its historical legacy and reshaping its football home in E [E] XLEX ƤXW XLI GSYRXV]ŭW RIIHW “Windsor Park has been transformed into a compact, world class stadium. It is a smart and sustainable solution, and I am honoured to be here in Belfast to see this project come to life.” The FIFA President, who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, added: “Congratulations Northern Ireland. May the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park be the stage for unforgettable matches and moments for many years to come.” 8LI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH )\IGYXMZI ERH XLI Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (now Department for Communities) provided the £38million funding for the redevelopment of the home of Northern Ireland football.

-VMWL *% 'LMIJ )\IGYXMZI 4EXVMGO 2IPWSR WEMH XLI WXEHMYQ [EW E ƤXXMRK LSQI JSV 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW involvement in the number one sport in the world. And he added: “The National Football Stadium is not just a building but a symbol of hope and aspiration for the new Northern Ireland we are all part of.” The redevelopment project, which took 29 months to complete, has seen three new stands – East, South and West – built at the stadium, while WIEXMRK MR XLI KVSYRHŭW I\MWXMRK 2SVXL 7XERH LEW been refurbished and a new covered walkway added. The stadium, which now has a capacity of 18,600, features four hospitality lounges – named after Northern Ireland football legends (Pat Jennings, (ERR] &PERGLƥS[IV +ISVKI &IWX ERH &MPP] &MRKLEQ ũ EW [IPP EW GSVTSVEXI FS\IW It will soon feature an education and heritage centre and a store selling Northern Ireland merchandise. The ground is also now the Irish FA’s ,5 ERH LSYWIW XLI SJƤGIW SJ FSXL 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH *SSXFEPP 0IEKYI 2-*0 ERH 0MRƤIPH *' A total of 1292 people worked on the construction project, from designers to builders, and between them they clocked up 754,400 work hours. Around 1,900 lorry loads of concrete were used – circa 25,000 tonnes – as well as 186,000 bricks.

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