Himachal Pradesh’s synthetic hockey turf in neglected state

SHILLARO - The country’s highest synthetic hockey turf ground in Himachal Pradesh’s Shillaro hill is lying in a neglected state despite the fact that synthetic turfs have a faster outfield, which is crucial to win matches at international level.

The synthetic turf was laid on the ground here in November last year, but the ground has still not been utilized properly till date.

National-level hockey players believe that it would have been better for Indian hockey players to have a fitness camp here before the World Cup for better performance.

Hockey India Chairperson Vidya Stokes said, “Last time what happened, if this thing was laid down in time, this thing was halfway done and halfway not done. I was keen that it should get ready. Our girls had to go to Russia in November.”

“Our players didn’t have an idea that they will face so much cold there. Still they played very well, if they had practiced here, they would have won,” added Stokes.

Ashok Kumar Thakur, a hockey player said, “If we are provided with astro (synthetic) turfs from childhood, Indian team will never lose from any team.”

Indian hockey players grow up practicing on natural grass, which puts them at a disadvantage against their international counterparts.

India has 18 synthetic turfs in comparison to a small country like Holland, which has over 450 synthetic turfs. (ANI)