Punjab’s tribute to hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand

CHANDIGARH, AUG 29:
Construction and up-gradation of six state-of-the-art hockey stadia in Punjab is the most appropriate tribute to the hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand whose birthday is being celebrated throughout the state and the country. The Government of India has declared ledendary Dhyan Chand’s birthday, August 29, as the National Sports Day.

The Punjab Sports Department is organising a spate of events throughout the state to celebrate the National Sports Day.

Most of the hockey stadia will be completed in all respects by October while the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium has been completed. However, the Mohali Stadium will be completed in December.
It may be recalled that Major Dhyan Chand was also posted in Punjab while serving the Army.
Punjab’s contribution for the development of hockey is well known as the state has contributed a lion’s share in winning the eight Olympic hockey gold medals. Construction of new modern hockey stadia is a giant step initiated by the Punjab Government to help the country in regaining the lost glory.

Concerned regarding the downward trend in hockey, the national game, due to various factors, the Punjab Government formulated a hockey promotion programme after various deliberations with the experts.

Punjab Sports Director Padam Shree Pargat Singh said that the Government was spending approximately Rs 110 crore for construction/upgradation of hockey stadia, laying of new astroturfs, installation of floodlights in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Mohali and Faridkot. The seating capacity of the hockey stadia will vary from 12,000 to 18,000.
Punjab Agricultural University Hockey Stadium, Ludhiana, which has been upgraded with floodlights, and the Mohali Stadium will have the “Blue and Pink” hockey astroturfs. The Blue (turf) and Pink (border) will also be used for the 2012 London Olympics.
Besides upgradation of the PAU Hockey Stadium, a new astroturf will be laid with floodlights at a cost of approximately Rs 12 crore.

“The Mohali Hockey Stadium will be most modern one. With a seating capacity of 16,000, the stadium will have “Blue and Pink” Astroturf, floodlight and other allied facilities conforming to international specifications,” disclosed Pargat Singh, who is also chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Hockey India.

The Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park in Jalandhar has also been upgraded with new astroturf and floodlights. The stadium will also be studded with an international Sports Hostel. These facilities have been provided at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

A new modern hockey stadium is under construction at Government Rajindra College in Bathinda. The process of laying a new astroturf and floodlights is under progress at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
The hockey stadium at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar has been upgraded. Besides new floodlight facilities, a new Blue and Pink astroturf will be laid at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
The hockey stadium, with a new Astroturf in Faridkot, will cost the Government Rs 8 crore.

“These stadia will be utilised for competitions-cum-training purpose. Besides, the Government has also laid 20 Six-A-Side Astroturfs throughout the stadia with the basic aim of providing playing facilities at the door steps,” said Pargat Singh.

Article Courtesy: Balbir Singh