The failure by the contractor to remove the existing e-layer has resulted in an uncomfortable and unsafe new hockey field at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Stadium in Ludhiana in India. Poor maintenance practices on the field in Kovilpatti, have rendered this one unplayable.
The new surface for the Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Stadium turns out to be uneven at the edge as well as the surrounding area. In some areas, the height difference between the surface and the surrounding area is as much as 12 to 15 cm. As a result, water is accumulating around the field, posing a danger to players and spectators.
The players fear that the situation could also compromise the safety of the field.
“This will pose a significant risk to a player’s safety, as, when players are running at high speed, it can be challenging for them to stop suddenly, especially at the edge of the ground, which can lead to collision among players or with the nearby structures or can make a playerfall off the edge, resulting in serious injuries,” Indian newspaper The Tribune reported.
Tejdeep Singh Bhalla, former hockey player and organising secretary of Hockey Ludhiana,said players running at high speeds during practice or matches might trip or fall due to the height difference between the turf and the caged area, potentially causing injuries. “To mitigate the risk of an injury, it is essential to ensure that the ground is properly levelled before installing the AstroTurf to create a smooth and even surface.”
Former inter-university hockey player, Col Jasjit Singh Gill, suggested to “Implement safety measures, such as padding or barriers, to reduce the risk of injuries in case of collisions. By taking such precautions, the risk of injuries can be minimised, and a safer playing environment can be created for athletes.”
Poor maintenance
Meanwhile, in Kovilpatti, the synthetic hockey field has become a danger to players due to poor maintenance. The field was installed in March 2017 but has already worn out.The stadium is located in the foothills of Kathiresan Hill in Krishnanagar of Inam Maniyachi village panchayat.
Apart from a damaged surface, the field also suffers from a lack of water. The two borewells at the stadium are its only source of water, one of which is bone-dry, while another can churn out saline water for roughly 20 minutes a day. The New Indian Express (TNIE) was told by a staff member that watering the turf has been an arduous task due to the inadequate water supply. Four tractor-loads of water — each with a 3,000-litre capacity — are required to wet the turf before every game.
It is well known that players rate a dry hockey surface that has been designed to hold water, as the worst to play on.
Hockey associations and private colleges that conduct tournaments at the field in Kovilpatti, purchase water from suppliers. “The cost of watering rises heavily when a tournament is held,” Guru Chitra Barathi, District Secretary, Hockey Unit of Thoothukudi, told TNIE. He appealed to the state to supply water from River Thamirabarani.
His claim is disputed by an employee of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) which is responsible for the maintenance. He claimed that the Inam Maniyachi panchayat had cut the drinking water connection from a nearby overhead tank. As a result,the 20mm pile height has now been reduced to only 6mm due to the play on a dried-out carpet.
District Sports Officer Antony Athistaraj told TNIE that a new stadium, with a gallery and other facilities, is being developed next to the turf. On the shortage of water supply, he said a new borewell has been sunk, and gave assurances that steps would be taken to ensure round-the-clock water supply to the turf.