Hisar awaits Astroturf promised 8 yrs ago

Getting an Astroturf of international standards in their township seems to be a distant dream for the hockey players here, even though an announcement to this effect had been made about eight years ago.

Getting an Astroturf of international standards in their township seems to be a distant dream for the hockey players here, even though an announcement to this effect had been made about eight years ago.

In 2000, the then Union sports minister, Uma Bharti, during her visit to Hisar, had announced the setting up of a hockey academy in Hisar, along with an Astroturf of international standard. Yogram Sharma, a social worker, has been knocking the doors of the Prime Minister and the President in this regard.

Talking to The Indian Express, Sharma said, “I have written letters to the President, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, but no action has been taken in this regard.”

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In information sought under the Right to Information Act, the Haryana Sports Department said that 10 acres of land has been earmarked and handed over to Hisar District Sports Council for the purpose. It was also stated that the Hisar Deputy Commissioner has also been approached for preparation of a detailed project and estimate of expenditure, so that it can be approved.

But the District Administration has taken no initiative for the project. Sharma pointed out that Hisar has two universities, and the talent of the youth can be harnessed for representation in national and international hockey games. Sharma said it is unfortunate that the district administration is not working on the project.

Rajendra Sihag, a national hockey player, has also expressed his concern over the delay in setting the hockey academy, even after adequate land has already been handed over to the district administration.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner O.P. Sheoran said that he had visited the land allocated for the construction of the hockey academy, and that the required steps would be taken soon.

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