Apollo Tyres launches two new ‘Go The Distance’ Pitches created using repurposed tyres

Apollo Tyres has announced the launch of two new ‘Go The Distance’
Pitches in India, in Chennai and Pune. Showcasing its commitment to sustainability, the
leading tyre maker has used 100% repurposed rubber from its own tyres, to create the
playing surface for the artificial football pitches. In addition to the reuse of discarded/end of
life tyres to create these pitches, this will also encourage the next generation of talent to
come to the fore.

Apollo Tyres has been working towards a sustainable model to create access to sports and
fitness. Approximately one billion end-of-life tyres (ELT)are generated globally each year, and
it is estimated that 4 billion of such tyres are currently in landfills, and stockpiles around the
world. The Apollo Tyres Go the Distance Pitches use rubber crumb from old tyres to create
multi-sport playing eco-friendly spaces #TyresToTurf.

Speaking at the inauguration, Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa
(APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “Apollo Tyres as a company is committed to sustainability.
These pitches created using repurposed rubber from our own tyres, are one of the many
initiatives that we are taking towards our Sustainability Journey. These Go The Distance
pitches have a two-fold objective — towards a sustainable future and ‘access to sports’ for
the youth from the local communities, where they can test out and hone their sporting skills.”

Each 160 feet x 90 feet football pitch uses around 1,500 car tyres. The tyres are shredded into
usable crumb rubber to layer the pitches. Around 7,500 Kgs of crumb rubber is used in a 160
feet x 90 feet football pitch. This helps create a safer ground and enhances the quality of the
pitches. The first such ‘Go The Distance’ pitch was opened near the North Stand of the iconic
Old Trafford in Manchester, home of Apollo Tyres’ partner Manchester United Football Club.

Apollo Tyres has partnered with HotFut Sports Infrastructure Pvt Ltd to create and manage
the these pitches in India. As of now, 11 Venues are operational with 20 Pitches in
Manchester (UK), Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai. 4 more venues will be
coming up in the next few month in north and east regions of the country.

The creation of such pitches has enabled several integrations like the Apollo Tyres United We
Play programme with Manchester United Soccer Schools, Youth Leagues with HotFut, and
several other grassroots development initiatives.