Surjit Hockey stadium to get new AstroTurf

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 26

Thanks to the hard work and sincere efforts of Surjit Hockey Society, the Punjab Government on Saturday floated tenders for the installation of new AstroTurf at the local Surjit Hockey Stadium.

The Sports Department, Punjab, has issued tenders (January 15) for the construction of four new AstroTurfs at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Satdium, Ferozepur, Marar village (Gurdaspur), Jalandhar and Dhudike (Moga).

Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Ghansham Thori, who is also the president of Surjit Hockey Society; Iqbal Singh Sandhu, secretary; and Surinder Singh Bhapa, chief PRO of Surjit Hockey Society, had taken up the demand of hockey players to replace the new AstroTurf at the stadium with Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Sodhi and, taking personal interest, has made it possible to install a new AstroTurf.

In the meantime, Iqbal Singh Sandhu and Surinder Singh Bhapa suggested Minister of Sports, Punjab, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, that the AstroTurf to be replaced at Surjit Hockey Stadium can be reused for three six-a-side grounds. As such, two at Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, and Kukar Pind can be replaced. This would be the best use of the replaced AstroTurf and maximum players would get the experience of playing on it.

Meanwhile, players participating in the Surjit Hockey coaching camp, which has been going on for the last 93 days at stadium, were overjoyed to hear the news.