‘Bhopal’s Aishbagh stadium not fit for international tourney’
By Shruti Tomar
No international tournament can be organised at Bhopal’s Aishbagh Hockey Stadium here until its turf is changed, Obaidullah Khan Heritage Hockey Cup’s director Mohammad Muneer said on Friday.
“It’s high time to change the turf that is in bad shape. If an expert team comes here to check the stadium for any international tournament, they will not give clearance because of the turf,” said Muneer.
The astroturf in the stadium was installed in 2009. “The patches have been joined by heating up both the sides. Such patches will not go well with game,” the tournament director said.
“The breakages are not good for the game especially in the striker circle. It stops the ball movement which some time can give advantage to the opponent team,” Munner said.
Muneer, however, appreciated effort of the sports department for organizing one of the highest prize money tournaments in the country. “Turf is a different thing but Obaidullah Khan Heritage Cup is really a good thing for hockey players.”
A coach of a participating team said: “There is a need to develop side area of turf as the drainage lane is not covered well. It is being covered with stone slabs and there is a gap between slabs which can hurt players.”