It was a defining moment for hockey buffs and budding players when a synthetic hockey turf was finally laid in Madikeri in March 2008. Sadly, even after 17 months, the surface is yet to be inaugurated officially. This means the turf was not put to good use when the whole thing cost a staggering Rs. 3.5 crore. Where did this money come from? Well, it is tax-payers money, including yours and mine. Who is to be blamed for the mess?
A report last week says the new synthetic hockey turf to be inaugurated in September 2009.
The newly laid synthetic hockey surface here will be inaugurated in September, according to a decision taken at the monitoring committee meeting of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) here on Wednesday. Laying of the Rs. 3.5-crore synthetic turf brought from Australia was completed last year. The playing surface was not thrown open for national and international competitions on the grounds that it was not certified by a technical team from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The team from Australia inspected the ground here three months ago and certified it as “fit for play”. (more)
'Turf highlights' for the last 17 months:
* “Polygrass XL”, an artificial playing surface for hockey, is ready for use at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
* This is the third such artificial playing surface available in Karnataka.
* A sum of Rs. 3.50 crore was spent to prepare the turf.
* SAI says the playing surface can be used for competitions only after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) approved the ground for technical and tactical correctness.
* The SAI was told to make trainees play on the ground for some time to assess its condition.
* Controversy arose when the Coorg Hockey Association (CHA) announced in September 2008 that the Super Division Hockey League would be played on the synthetic turf at the SAI grounds here from September onwards.
* The CHA had tied up with the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA) to organise the league matches here, featuring the best men’s hockey teams in the country. But, due to non-clearance from the FIH, matches could not be held here. The Super Division Hockey League was consequently shifted to the SAI grounds in Bangalore.
* The CHA authorities blamed its former office-bearers for the cancellation of the league in Madikeri. The ground was leased by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, to the CHA.
* The newly laid synthetic hockey surface here will be inaugurated in September 2009.
* The FIH team from Australia inspected the ground here three months ago and certified it as “fit for play”.
* The synthetic playing surface would be shared between the SAI and the CHA in a manner that it does not clash with each other’s schedule.
* The CHA representatives brought up the issue of construction of a Club House at one portion of the ground. The SAI authorities would request the UAS, Bangalore, to cede nearly two acres of land in front of the SAI hostel here for utilising it as the practice/warm up ground before the commencement of the matches.
* SAI has proposed for the construction of an additional open well as water from the existing open well would suffice only for watering the surface up to a maximum of three matches.
* Construction of gallery, players’ change rooms were also mooted by the SAI.
What the heck? They’ve spent Rs. 3.5 crores and still there is no gallery or players’ change rooms. Most probably, the players will have to rely on restrooms at the KSTRC bus stand for changing and the spectators will have climb some nearby hillocks or high rise buildings to watch the matches, if at all there is one.
* “Polygrass XL”, an artificial playing surface for hockey, is ready for use at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
* This is the third such artificial playing surface available in Karnataka.
* A sum of Rs. 3.50 crore was spent to prepare the turf.
* SAI says the playing surface can be used for competitions only after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) approved the ground for technical and tactical correctness.
* The SAI was told to make trainees play on the ground for some time to assess its condition.
* Controversy arose when the Coorg Hockey Association (CHA) announced in September 2008 that the Super Division Hockey League would be played on the synthetic turf at the SAI grounds here from September onwards.
* The CHA had tied up with the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA) to organise the league matches here, featuring the best men’s hockey teams in the country. But, due to non-clearance from the FIH, matches could not be held here. The Super Division Hockey League was consequently shifted to the SAI grounds in Bangalore.
* The CHA authorities blamed its former office-bearers for the cancellation of the league in Madikeri. The ground was leased by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, to the CHA.
* The newly laid synthetic hockey surface here will be inaugurated in September 2009.
* The FIH team from Australia inspected the ground here three months ago and certified it as “fit for play”.
* The synthetic playing surface would be shared between the SAI and the CHA in a manner that it does not clash with each other’s schedule.
* The CHA representatives brought up the issue of construction of a Club House at one portion of the ground. The SAI authorities would request the UAS, Bangalore, to cede nearly two acres of land in front of the SAI hostel here for utilising it as the practice/warm up ground before the commencement of the matches.
* SAI has proposed for the construction of an additional open well as water from the existing open well would suffice only for watering the surface up to a maximum of three matches.
* Construction of gallery, players’ change rooms were also mooted by the SAI.
What the heck? They’ve spent Rs. 3.5 crores and still there is no gallery or players’ change rooms. Most probably, the players will have to rely on restrooms at the KSTRC bus stand for changing and the spectators will have climb some nearby hillocks or high rise buildings to watch the matches, if at all there is one.
Well done, SAI. Kodagu is proud of you!
4 comments:
Cari:
It is a step forward. Watching and playing on these turf makes a lot to the game and people.
Let us wait and not dismiss the approach.
CPN
What is the use of turf if it is not put to use?
:) it is the Chicken or Egg situation. So let us look at it as the Chicken has come first - soon many more eggs will follow:)
I just hope the district tournaments / school level semi and finals will be held on this turf. That itself is a huge motivation for the younger lots.
Also if a petition has to be filed for us to ensure these put to proper use - whom do we approach , I mean , not just blogging , what If someone had to take it further - we [ KodaguCommunity ] should be be able to take it to the next level.
I liked the Debate in the other post about history - but it got personal - I would have liked the debate to be continued - I learnt so much and realised how much I dont know!
cpn
Local media should highlight the issue, rest all will fall in place. No need for petition and all.
Debate: Typical of our democracy, we, Indians, don't know how to use to our freedom :)
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