No AstroTurf for training hockey talent
Amritsar has consistently produced exceptional players for the national hockey team, contributing stars to both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics Despite this remarkable contribution, the city lacks a dedicated AstroTurf for training its young talent. The one at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), installed in 2008-09, has been out of commission since 2023 due to its deteriorating condition, and neither the central nor state governments have committed to funding the nearly Rs 7 crore required to install a new one.
AstroTurf is essential for modern hockey, as all national and international games are played on artificial grass. To prepare young players for the speed and precision required at the competitive level, they must train on such surfaces. Without access to AstroTurf, players are at a severe disadvantage when it comes to controlling the fast-moving ball during the matches.
Amritsar has produced four key players for the Indian men’s hockey team in both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team clinched bronze medals on both occasions—an unprecedented achievement of two consecutive Olympic medals. Among these players are local stars Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh and Jugraj Singh, who represented India in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Similarly, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Amritsar contributed five players to the men’s national team and one to the women’s team, including drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur.
Despite Amritsar’s impressive track record of producing Olympic-level talent, the lack of proper facilities, including an AstroTurf, hampers the development of future players. Experts believe this oversight is detrimental to the city’s hockey prospects and calls for urgent attention from the government.
Veterans have been advocating at least two AstroTurf fields in Amritsar to meet the growing demand for high-level training. Olympian Brigadier (retd) Harcharan Singh emphasised the importance of artificial turf for training, saying, “In modern-day hockey, practising on artificial turf is not just important, but a critical factor for success. However, it is up to the government to decide on laying AstroTurf, which costs around Rs 7 crore. There should at least be two AstroTurf surfaces in Amritsar alone for the players.”
Kunwar Mandeep Singh, sports director at GNDU, noted that the university had attempted repairs to the existing turf over several years after it exceeded its lifespan in 2016-17. “The existing turf is now beyond repair and needs total replacement,” he explained. The Punjab Sports Department has informed the university that the proposal for replacement may be tabled in the forthcoming budget. However, the university’s previous attempts to secure funding from both the Centre and state governments have been unsuccessful.
Technical experts have criticised the idea of further repairs, stating that the rubber underneath the surface is coming off in bits and pieces, posing a risk of injury to players.
