Agri varsity’s recycled astroturf to boost grassroots hockey

Ludhiana: The old astroturf from the Prithipal Hockey Stadium at Punjab Agricultural University is finally being reinstalled at Malwa College in Bondli, Samrala, and the Govt Senior Secondary School (School of Eminence), Mundian Kalan. The recycling project, initiated by the Punjab State Sports Council (PSSC), aims to redistribute parts of the dismantled turf to local educational institutes to provide better facilities for young athletes.

The relocation comes after the old turf spent several months lying abandoned in an open area at the varsity grounds due to bureaucratic delays. District sports officer Kuldeep Chugh confirmed that the sports department has lifted the turf and initiated the reinstallation process.

“The turf will be installed at two educational institutions in Ludhiana district as a facility for hockey practice and training for young athletes. Earlier the delay was due to some unavoidable conditions and tender allotment,” Chugh said. He added that the project is expected to be completed within the next two months.

School officials from Mundian Kalan confirmed they have received their portion of the turf. Punjab minister Hardeep Mundian inaugurated the reinstallation work at the school site.

The new facility is expected to greatly benefit local sports programmes. Manpreet Singh, lecturer of physical education and hockey coach at the school, shared that the Mundian Kalan Hockey Centre currently trains 70 girls across the Under-11, Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 categories.

The centre has already produced five national-level and 38 state-level players. Additionally, their Under-11 girls’ team has won the Punjab School State Championship twice and secured a silver medal once.

“This turf would be helpful for all the athletes as they are receiving much awaited hockey facilities in their own practice field,” Singh said.