Kolkata: In a very good step The West Bengal Government has decided to build a Astroturf Stadium for hockey. Earlier Rabindra Sarobar stadium, Gitanjali Stadium has been allotted for Astroturf but nothing has been done. Over the years Bengal has produced players like Leslie Cladius,Gurbaksh Singh, Joginder Singh, Keshav Dutt and so on. The absence of an world class stadium has been for the game but now with the stadium coming it will be a big boost for Bengal hockey.
In a press conference Bengal Hockey Association secretary Swapan Banerjee said that Aroop Biswas, Minister of Sports,Youth Affairs and Housing has assured them to establish a Hockey Astroturf. It’s been a long standing demand for a hockey stadium but at last it seems the demand is going to be fulfilled. With the installation of this facility, B.H.A can hope to participate in the ongoing Hockey India League, Beighton Cup.
The Hockey stadium will come up at the Saltlake Stadium area adjacent to the gate number one. Right now two practice ground is being prepared for the U-17 World Cup. According to ex-Olympian Gurbaksh Singh it will not cause any hindrance to the preparation of those ground. The Astroturf Stadium will have a capacity of Eight to Ten thousand people. Gurbaksh Singh Said,” We have inspected the ground on Friday. We are pleased with the location.”