Inaugurated by LG Manoj Sinha, synthetic hockey AstroTurf is still looking for its completion; Players seek government intervention

Inaugurated by LG Manoj Sinha, synthetic hockey AstroTurf is still looking for its completion; Players seek government intervention

SALIL RAINA

(POONCH TODAY NEWS)

POONCH: Due to the slothful work culture adopted by the concerned department, the Rs 5.32 crore synthetic hockey AstroTurf on the premises of Shaheed Dy.SP Manjit Singh Boys Higher Secondary School, which was inaugurated by LG Manoj Singh in September 2022, is lying idle and still looking for its completion.

It is important to mention here that Poonch hockey remained powerful for decades, and considering the huge potential of hockey in Poonch, the UT government sanctioned synthetic AstroTurf, the work of which was started in July 2020 by former LG J&K UT G.C. Murmu. Former Director YSS Salim-Ur-Rehman, former DC Poonch Rahul Yadav, and former MLC Pardeep Sharma, played a big role in the project, and their efforts were appreciated by all. As a director of YSS, Salim-Ur-Rehman brought massive reforms to the department for encouraging sports by strengthening sports infrastructure, but after his departure, the department seems to be suffering from a slothful work culture. Initially, due to the COVID outbreak, the turf work got delayed for some time, and it was started again after a few months. After completion of the playing field, the turf was inaugurated by LG Manoj Sinha on September 13, 2022, in the presence of Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS), President Municipal Council Adv. Sunil Sharma, DDC Chairperson Poonch Tazeem Akhter, DDC Riyaaz Choudhary, and the then DC Poonch Inderjeet, thereby bringing happiness to the faces of hockey lovers. Although the playing area is complete, work on the electricity connection, 65 KVA stabilizer for pumping water, and pavilion with seating arrangements is still pending. Due to the absence of proper electricity and a 65 KVA stabilizer for watering the field for good playing conditions, players have been unable to do their regular practice. Youngsters said that they had high hopes of this project getting completed earlier, but they are feeling sad as they are unable to do regular practice on the turf. On the one hand, LG Manoj Sinha has always been keen to strengthen sports infrastructure at the UT level, but on the other hand, the slow-moving work culture of the concerned department is really a cause for concern. Many hockey turf projects have been completed in J&K, UT, which were started after the Poonch project was sanctioned, but the Poonch hockey project is still not completed. JPDC Poonch earlier provided a power connection, but a few days ago, the connection was cut down by JPDC officials. Senior players believe that the modern AstroTurf facilities in Poonch will help develop the next generation of hockey players so they can compete strongly at the UT and national levels for top positions. Deputy Commissioner Poonch Mohd Yaseen Choudhary visited the field a few months ago and promised the installation of flood lights, but after that, no concrete action has been taken. Although Poonch hockey remained a force for decades, owing to a lack of suitable infrastructure, hockey players in different age groups struggled to find positions at the national level, and it’s a big question mark for NIS coaches. Mere participation at the UT and national levels will serve no purpose if the top positions are not achieved, say senior players.  Poonch hockey has nearly 85 years of history because the hockey team of Poonch once visited Lahore to play matches in the 1930s. Now, with the modern synthetic AstroTurf, hockey Poonch is all set to excel at the UT and national levels with the availability of this latest world-class infrastructure. It is high time that the government of J&K should direct the concerned authorities and the company that was allotted the project to complete all the pending work as soon as possible because the condition of the turf may worsen due to dust and other issues if not regularly used.   Hockey lovers are keen to see the ground functioning by all means and have demanded that the remaining work be completed as early as possible, as the project has already missed several deadlines due to one or other reasons. They have also demanded the posting of a performance-oriented NIS hockey coach from the department of youth services and sports for the smooth functioning of the turf and coaching of youngsters, in addition to forming a practice schedule for teams because all teams cannot practice on the turf at a time on any given day. Players have demanded the immediate attention of the government over the issue and are keen to see the turf function by all means.