Gill’s delayed inauguration of hockey turf
KOLKATA: Union Sports Minister MS Gill on Wednesday inaugurated the artificial hockey turf at SAI Eastern Centre without the knowledge of Beighton Cup been played on the newly-laid surface.
The 114th edition of Beighton Cup was held in December first week with more than 10 matches held on the newly-laid artificial turf of SAI Eastern Centre.
When contacted Bengal Hockey Association secretary Gurbux Singh said “special permission” was taken from SAI to hold the premier tournament as the sport minister’s arrival was delayed.
“We had taken permission to hold the tournament on the artificial turf. Gill was supposed to come in October to inaugurate the artificial turf. But he could not come as per schedule due to bye-elections in that area after state sports minister Subhas Chakraborty’s death,” former India captain said.
Director of SAI Eastern centre S Harmilapi was not available for comment.
Earlier a SAI release stated: “The work of relaying of hockey turf started in February, 2007 and the estimated cost was Rs 250.29 lakh. The work has been completed by CPWD in the year 2009.”