Astro turf Hockey field now for Hockey players but need to upgrade to International Standard

Ningombam Gyanendro *

14th Dr Kanti Mukherjee Memorial Hockey Tournament at Khuman Lampak in January 2013 :: Pix - Jinendra Maibam

Terming the installation of new turf and other requirements as done, the planners may have had their best compensation of providing a new Astro turf finally to the players of the state while announcing this it would do well for the planners particularly the department of Youth Affairs and Sports to keep in mind that despite doing all there things we can’t still host or organize any domestic (Sr. level) and international tournaments because of lack of floodlight system, change Rooms and Astro turf practice field outside the stadium.

An indication that the state planners had failed to sit down, deliberate and think over to chalkout proper plan while taking up renovation and installation works of historic Khuman Lampak Astro Turf Hockey Stadium that laid duding 1999 national Games at Imphal.

Not long ago, for years, rustic Manipuris rose as Golden hockey ornaments. The state has been one of the hubs for hockey players in the country, who turned Olympians, International in both men and women with monotonous regularity.

The small state has thrown several stars like Nilakamal, Thoiba, Tiken including current India players Kothajit, Chinglen in men’s and Chanchan, Lily and Anuradha in women section. Some others have already worn India colours and according to hockey followers, they are quite a few promising players on the eggshells of representing the country in near future.

The point that arises now is that wether the state can organize domestic and International tournaments with such facilities. Can we able to bring some showpiece at the state by organizing high level domestic International Tournaments like other Hockey cities in order to inspire the talented youngsters and to materlise and marshalling them to national grade for making their career in hockey. It will be a wrong concept for all us that giving full facility to play on astro turf hockey field only will never bring any positive result.

To strengthen one such hub of hockey in the country we need to have atleast Internationally approved Hockey stadium having the following facilities –
i) Good Change rooms inside the stadium
2) Media Room 3. 2 good rooms of high ranking officials to be utilized duing high level Domestic / International events.
3) Flood hight system (For evening matches) and
(4) Astro turf Practice field (atleast half of the recommended standard field)

We have seen / heard many complains, suggestions and representation in terms of improvement, renovation and other additional works inside and outside the stadium. But we are still facing such kind of handicap. No proper plan conjugate with future prospect is taken up till now.

People are still confused why the state Government or the state planners had not thought been given on how to take up improvement and renovation works ? Why don’t they compare the models of other cities like Bhubaneshor, Ranchi, Delhi where olympic standard or Internationally approved stadiums are already builtup while taking up such works ?

And I am quite amazed that no a single comment, suggestion in connection with this issue while works are undertaking in this historic stadium has neither provoked from Hockey Intelligentsias nor had any complaint lodged by Hockey lovers.

The completion of installation of new turf and handing over of the turf to the players may have gone down well with innocents players taking note that they have surpassed the drought season of not availing to play on turf for almost one year. But the concept of adopting this system only will be wrong.

And one more sad moment is that authorities ( Government and Planners ), Non- Government and State Association even Manipur Olympic Association the apex sports body of the state have yet to relealise the importance of embracing a historic Olympic standard Hockey stadium at Khuman Lampak Sports complex that built up during 1999 National Games at Imphal.

But as I understand, may be for unknown reason, no such chapter of action taken has, so far, not come to public notice. I don’t know why would not the planners of this state buy the idea of setting up a Olympic standard Hockey stadium that is not always against the will of Hockey loving people.

The planners may therefore, come out with a huge plan to process to avail internationally required facilities in this stadium to reap the capabilities of state in hosting high level domestic and International Tournaments without fail. Let us take up in order to ensure the young talented players in the state to explore anything possible in learning the game of Hockey.