Proposed hockey astro turf ground converted into golf course

 

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE bronze-medal winning performance by Indian men’s hockey team at Tokyo Olympics has reignited love for the game in entire country.
India’s third-place finish at the Summer Olympics has forced countrymen hope that the condition of game will get better, starting from the grassroot.
Though the condition and popularity of the game is improving in northern and north-eastern part of India, the situation in central part of the country is getting worse with each passing day.
In Nagpur, there are two hockey grounds (Vidarbha Hockey Association on Amravati Road and Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association in Sadar). Pathetic condition of both the grounds is there to be seen for all. Leave aside astro turf, both grounds are unplayable on mud surface (chat) or lawn grass.
If that not enough, the proposed hockey astro turf at Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur has been ‘converted’ into a golf course.
In January, 2020, the State Government had proposed an ambitious Divisional Sports Complex expansion plan worth Rs 123 crore. The plan included construction of international standard swimming pool, shooting range, hockey astro turf, a multipurpose sports indoor hall, an athletics track for practice apart from renovation of the present indoor hall.
The hockey astro turf and shooting range were proposed at the far corner of the premises, behind the athletic synthetic track gallery.
But a few months back, authorities inaugurated a golf course on the proposed astro turf land.
It was also announced that the golf course would be given to general public for a monthly fee while it will be on discounted rates for the school students.
The ‘encroachment’ on hockey astro turf land has pained the game lovers and also budding players who practice inside the complex. Players, who did not wish to be named, said that if the ground is allotted for hockey then why it is being used for golf.  “This shows their love and interest, or lack of it, towards hockey,” they alleged.
“They have spent around Rs four lakh on construction of golf course. What was the reason to spend such a huge amount when it is a temporary arrangement,” the players asked.
According to sources there would be change in the proposed plan. “There are minor changes in the proposed plan. The old plan was only for reference purpose. There might be addition of some more facilities and change in the location of specific sports grounds,” the sources said.
When contacted Shekhar Patil, the newly-appointed Deputy Director of Sports, Nagpur Division, said he will look into the matter. “I have assumed charge just a month back. I will have to go through the actual plan and only then I can comment on the issue. I am sure that all the facilities in the proposed plan will be in place and no game would be neglected,” Patil told ‘The Hitavada’.
A meeting regarding the proposed plan is likely to be held by month end.