24 July,2011 08:05 AM IST | | Sundari Iyer
At a time when hockey is struggling for survival with Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) fighting endlessly, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kandivli, seems to have spared a thought for the sport's development.
The newly laid turf carpet at SAI, Kandivili. PIC/Nimesh Dave
Mumbai is all set to get a new astro-turf at SAI, Kandivli, which will be functional from early next month. "The basic aim for preparing this turf is for training, but as it is going to be of international standard, it could be used for training as well as tournaments," SAI's assistant director Virendra Bhandarkar told SUNDAY MiD DAY. This 5000 seating capacity turf will cost around 3.5 crore.
"I am glad that the city will now have another turf. The work started in 2009 but due to change of site from the lower area to a topographically higher one, work got delayed," he added.
The seating arrangement will be unique. It will have wooden benches, which can be rolled and removed after the matches. "The wooden seats could be rolled up when needed. Apart from that there will be all other amenities," said Bhandarkar.
