Kolkata could also play host to HIL, says SAI regional director
Kolkata: The city will soon get two more football pitches at the Eastern Region of Sports Authority of India (SAI). The newly laid football pitches at SAI will be ready by end of February next year. The pitches are being prepared for the practice facilities for the U’17 World Cup which will take place next year. According to SAI Eastern Region Director MS Goindi, the newly laid pitches at the SAI can be used for hosting I League matches after the completion of U’17 World Cup.
“We are more than willing to host the I League matches here at the SAI. We want the facility to be utilized by the top teams in the city like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal after the U’17 World Cup,” said Mr Goindi while talking to the scribes after the completion of Beighton Cup final at the SAI on Tuesday.
He urged both the Kolkata giants to use their facility rather than travelling to places like Kalyani and Barasat. According to Mr Goindi, “Why would you go to Kalyani and play I League matches when you will have all the facilities available here at the SAI. The floodlights will soon be installed and we will have the dressing rooms in place as well for both home and away teams. We can have temporary stands erected for the I League matches.”
Meanwhile there is some good news waiting for hockey lovers in the city as well. The Hockey India League (HIL) could soon be seen on the SAI training centre pitch here, its regional director Manmeet Singh Goindi said on Tuesday.
“Mr (Narinder) Batra is coming to the city end of January and I have already had a word with him. He has promised me something, and for that I want to relay the turf to a blue one (as in HIL venues),” Goindi said on the sidelines of the the 121st all India Beighton Cup which Indian Oil won for the fifth time.
Batra was elected president of International Hockey Federation (FIH) last month and according to Goindi he will be felicitated by the West Bengal government for his feat of becoming the first Indian to take the top job of the sport which has had turbulent administration in India throughout the 90s and the 2000s.
“The idea is to have HIL matches here. That is why I want the astro turf which has been there for seven years now relayed and floodlights installed.
“The work has been earmarked, and the tendering now has to be done,” Goini further informed.
At present, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar; Shivaji Hockey Stadium, Delhi; Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai; Hockey Stadium, Chandigarh; Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi and Dhyan Chand Sports College, Lucknow are the six venues which host the tournament.
There are six teams as well.
“We could have a team from Bengal. Let’s see. Plans are there and he (Narinder Batra) is a dear friend of mine. I am sure if I request him, he won’t turn it out and will try and keep my word,” Goindi added.
HIL starts January 21. Punjab Warriors are the defending champions.