New hockey turf; sub-standard works alleged

Within two weeks of the installation of a synthetic hockey turf at Chamundi Vihar Stadium, sub-standard works in laying the synthetic hockey turf is observed as the turf was found damaged.

The turf was completed hastily to organise national level matches during Dasara sports meet, prior to approval by International Hockey Federation (FIH). 

However, matches conducted during Dasara has damaged several parts of the turf. It can be recalled that the turf was inaugurated on October 5 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The project worth Rs 2.85 crore project was floated by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). 

During a recent visit by Deccan Herald, synthetic mats of the turf were found to be stripped, allegedly due to poor quality of work taken up by the contractor.

According to Vijaya Krishna, Hockey coach, Sports Authority of Karnataka said that sprinklers used to give water treatment to the turf was not automated due to which some portions of the turf suffered ‘white patches’.  

The turf was exposed to damages as a tournament was played on the ground. Finishing works of laying the synthetic turf was not complete when the tournament began. Pasting pieces of synthetic turf mats near the central line was done in a shoddy manner, he said.

Moreover, as sprinklers have to be manually operated, some portions of the ground did not receive sufficient amount of water and those portions turned white.

However, as of now, sprinklers are being used manually to water the synthetic turf. 

Pending approval

The newly laid synthetic turf is yet to be certified by FIH. However, certification of the turf will be done only after the quality of the ground is assessed by the body.  

According to MUDA Commissioner S Palaiah, the turf will be approved by FIH within 15 days, as a team of the Federation is expected to arrive in the city. 

He expressed confidence that FIH would approve the turf in their first visit. 

Assistant Chief Executive Engineer of MUDA, Ramaswami, the grounds will be certified after taking into consideration the suggestions of FIH who would make another visit to formally acknowledge the ground after considering the repair works undertaken.

Contractor, Darshan Chadda denying sub-standard works said stripped mats seen near the edges are common phenomenon in hockey turfs. “White patches are obvious in most grounds.

But, the turf is fit to host any hockey tournaments. Certification of the turf by FIH is still under way and over the next weekend the grounds will be formally announced to hold National and Sate-level tournaments organised by Hockey India Association and Karnataka State Hockey Association,” he said.