The latest blue and pink AstroTurf hockey stadium, a first of its kind in south India, established at the Seethakathi Sethupathi Sports Stadium complex here, is all set for inauguration to host national and international-level tournaments.
The Ramanathapuram District Hockey Association created the top class facility, matching to international standards at a cost of Rs.6 crore with support from the district administration, hockey lovers and philanthropists.
“We have created the best hockey ground with the latest technologies in this region and the inauguration will take place before the middle of next month,” association secretary A Chelladurai Abdullah told The Hindu on Sunday.
He said a team from a France-based laboratory, one of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) accredited laboratories, is arriving here on October 27 to evaluate and inspect the facilities, physical parameters and safety features for according certification to host international tournaments.
The turf with shock pad underneath was laid by Shiv Naresh Sports Private Limited, a Delhi-based company, a kit partner of Hockey India. The 15-mm shock pad has been laid for the safety of the players, said B. Palanivel Rajan, Project Manager of the company.
“This is the only stadium in south India to have the latest blue and pink turf, which is used in London Olympics,” he said.
The sprinklers, imported from Italy had been installed to international standards to ensure that the entire ground was wetted with about 50,000 litters of water in less than 12 minutes, he said.
“We are planning to make the inaugural function, a grand event and having an idea of hosting an India-Malaysia clash,” Mr. Abdullah said.
Hockey India President Narindra Batra had been invited for the inauguration, he said, adding that the district administration would decide on other VIPs for the event.
The stadium, named after Velu Manickam, had two galleries designed on the lines of galleries in a football stadium in France, he said.
The association also made ready a warm-up ground with shock pad and Astroturf, which was recently removed from Mayor Radhakrishnan hockey stadium in Egmore, he said.
“We want to make the best use of the stadium and the day is not far off when this small town will host international tournaments,” Mr. Abdullah hoped.
