City’s newly made astro turf hockey ground at South Eastern Railway Sports Stadium, Hatia is attracting players. The inauguration of the turf by Union Railways Minister Suresh P Prabhu scheduled on Monday was cancelled at the last moment but it did not demoralise the players and hockey lovers. The first such turf in the state was made at Morhabadi Hockey stadium prior to the 34th National Games held in the state capital in 2011. later, the second Astroturf was made at Khunti where the day boarding players have been practicing till date. The third Astroturf under the state government was inaugurated by Sports Minister Amar Bauri recently at Simdega. Railways Astroturf is the fourth of its kind in the state but first under the central government. Interestingly, this turf made around one month back has been witnessing trial matches of women hockey almost everyday. Facilities like gallery, lights, VIP rooms, changing rooms and offices are yet to be made here.
Jharkhand has been maintaining the record of producing maximum national level women hockey players representing Indian Railways. Some among them were seen practicing today. “It is sad that the Union Railway Minister could not come for inauguration. But, we are thankful to the government for making a turf where we can practice regularly,” said a young women hockey player. Similarly, state’s First International Women Hockey player cum Former Secretary of Hockey Jharkhand Savitry Purty, a coach in Indian Railways said she is happy to stay busy with her practice.
“We have been demanding for a separate turf since long. Now, it is easy for us to devote sufficient time for practice besides office hours,” said Hockey Coach Anna G Minz, the woman who formed the first senior women’s hockey team in the region in 1985. Notably, the construction of the stadium began in 2009. It is considered among the best turf in the eastern zone. The remaining construction work is probably said to be completed in the coming months.
Sources maintained it will likely be inaugurated within 10 days by a senior officer or minister of Railways. “CM could have inaugurated the stadium but he wants someone from Railways to unveil,” maintained sources. Players are looking forward for the inauguration as it will pave way for hosting various national and state level hockey tournaments.