MUMBAI, APRIL 21: It was a sight for sore eyes.
The Bombay Hockey Association (BHA) today commenced work on reinstalling its astroturf surface. Half a dozen labourers were busy stripping the old turf, a job that should take four days. By the weekend, the experts from Barber SS, consultants to AstroTurf Sports Surfaces, should begin repairing the shock pad surface underneath. And by Monday next, work on laying the new turf should commence.
Sophocles Sophocleous, regional manager of AstroTurf, made a quick inspection of the situation today. He told BHA president Dilbagh Singh Bakshi, “you should be looking to play your first match on the new turf on May 6.” Sophocleous said the additional shock pad, needed for repairs, had been airlifted from Britain and should be arriving in the city any time.
Sophocleous, who handles AstroTurf’s business development in the Asian region, was in Delhi to participate in a tender floated by SAI, to replace the turfs at Bangalore and Calcutta. He proceeds to Sri Lankatomorrow to begin the installation of a new turf there. Asked if a city like Mumbai could afford more astroturf surfaces, he said, “The surface has become more economical these days and advances in technology has made it more durable. When Karachi can have three and Lahore two, Mumbai should have more surfaces.”