Hockey team to train at MEG

The national hockey probables will train in batches on the artificial turf at Madras Engineers Group on Thursday, a routine they may tend to repeat during their schedule in Bangalore.

The shift to MEG is to essentially facilitate the cleaning of the Polytan pitch at Sports Authority of India, South Centre. Matches played for the past two days haven’t exactly been pleasing with players finding the turf extremely slippery.

“We will have our first practice match at 7.30am,” camp co-ordinator AB Subbaiah told TOI. “We intend to send three batches, including one in the evening.”

Subbaiah said it would be a good change of scene for the players and hinted that a similar session may be planned at the Akkithimmanahalli ground too.