Sundargarh Finally Gets the Synthetic Hockey Turf
By Satish Sharma

SUNDARGARH: The long wait for the new synthetic hockey turf at Sundargarh is finally over. A new synthetic (poligrass) hockey turf has been laid at the SAI Sports Complex, Sankra –Sundrargarh. The two representatives of Jubilee Sports Technology company completed the work of laying of the turf on Friday (27th February), This is the third synthetic hockey turf in hockey’s home Sundargarh. The other turfs are at Panposh Hockey Hostel, Rourkela and another at Biju Patnaik Hockey stadium, Rourkela.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had approved the Rs.2.25 crore project in 2007. The base work for the turf began in 2007 and completed by May, 2008. Then began the wait for synthetic turf, which arrived only November, 2008. A tournament proposed for June 2008 could not be conducted due to this delay.

However, the laying of the turf has brought smiles on the faces of inmates of SAI hockey hostel and trainees of State hockey hostel, coaches and officials of these two institutions.

P.K.Sarangi, the chief of SAI hostel seemed happy with new turf. He said this would help in raising the standard and would add confidence among the inmates of the hostels.’ Till today the trainees of Panposh and SAIL hockey Academy, Rourkela were enjoying advantage over Sundargarh trainees because of synthetic turf. Now onwards our boys and girls will also get opportunity to practice on the synthetic turf’’ Mr.Sarangi said. He hopes trainees would soon will soon start practice on the new turf.

It is to noted here that SAI has chalked up a programme to turn the SAI’s Special Games centre, Sundargarh into a full fledged sports complex with modern facilities at an investment of Rs.18 crores in future.