Bhopal to have most Astroturf hockey stadiums

Bhopal, May 10 (UNI) Famed as India’s hockey nursery, the state capital is all set to become the city with most number of Astroturf stadiums in the country as work over Aishbagh stadium nears completion. ”The stadium would be ready for practicing and hosting competitions from June,” Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Department Director Sanjay Choudhary told UNI here. An estimated amount of Rs five crore has been spent on installing Astroturf and flood lights in the stadium. The work for laying Astroturf was being done by a foreign company. He said another hockey stadium was being prepared over an area of three acre over a hill in front of Mayur park in the state capital.

The work for creating base for Astroturf on this stadium began today. A foreign company would lay Astroturf on this stadium also. ”The specialty about this stadium would be that audience would be able to enjoy hockey in open atmosphere from audience gallery akin to cricket stadiums in Australia. This audience gallery was being prepared by cutting out the hill,” he said.