Looking Ahead

Treat this more as a wish list. How does one convert an artificial turf field into a world-class hockey stadium. Not abroad, but in India.

Some of the elements of a modern-day hi-tech stadium built around the field of play are: 

Active Matrix Scoreboards - capable of displaying scoring/statistics, up to eight lines of text, graphics, animation, video and advertising.

Rotational Signage Systems - ideal for in-stadia advertising, as it allows multiple sponsors to advertise in the same display area.

Floodlights - Brands like Philips ArenaVision offer lighting conditions suitable for players, spectators and for broadcast quality television images.

Giant Video Displays - Brands like Sony's Jumbotron, Mitsubishi’s DiamondVision and Philips Videowall allow replays of goals and other highlights to be displayed on a huge (> 30 square metre) video screen, at a high brightness (> 1000 Nit).

In Closing - A Challenge

There is no corporation in India that can manufacture artificial turf. However, there is no reason why that should be the case.

Using the technology of fiber manufacturing, textile fabrication and carpet technology, using the principles of polymer and material science, and employing chemical, civil and mechanical engineers, it is entirely possible for an Indian company to indigenously manufacture an artificial turf system.

If a company does rise up to the challenge, there is a large untapped market in India. Note that countries like Germany, Holland and England, all the size of Maharashtra, have hundreds of artificial turf fields. Schools and colleges in USA have artificial turf fields. It is possible that indigenous manufacture of artificial turf will bring down the cost of such fields, so that it would be possible for every district in every state in India, and for major university campuses to have all-year, all-weather artificial turf pitches. Artificial turf systems with the Made-in-India label can even be exported to Asian and other countries.

We hope that it is only a matter of time before an Indian industrial giant makes this vision into a reality.