Leandro Negre, the president of International Hockey Federation, confirmed at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday that a new, blue turf would be installed.
In addition, Bangladesh will be receive another stretch of 40X40 meter turf at no cost and that the hockey federation will set at a school ground and the hub of local hockey is also in line to have floodlights put in.
The turf will be provided by world famous artificial turf producer Sports Technology International (STI), whose managing director, Steven Niven, was present at the press briefing at the BOA House yesterday.
Negre, the chief of the 128 country organization, acknowledged the potential in Bangladesh hocke. “I arrived here last year and I was approached for a turf. After almost one year I can say that Bangladesh is going to have a new turf. The MOU will be signed next September and the installation process will begin soon after. The MOU will be signed after Tayeb Ekram, the development officer of AHF arrives here and finalises the draft,” he said.
The new turf seemed to excite the FIH president and he suggested Dhaka host a number of international events. “I can say that round one of the World Hockey League can played at Dhaka. I have also been thinking about a match between India and Pakistan on the new turf - the Indian board is ready but now the Pakistani federation will go through their election, so they can’t confirm it. Hopefully, both the parties will agree to play here.
“The blue surface has brought new life in media transmissions. I did not receive any criticism over the new style of penalty shootout. It’s well accepted in the media,” said the president.
Nonetheless, Negre stressed that Bangladesh still had work to do. “At the moment, Bangladesh is one step behind. They have to perform a little better and work hard to attain the target. I hope they will work toward attaining a place at the Olympics 2020,” he said.
Stephen Niven shared Negre’s opinion of Bangladesh’s potential. “Leandro Negre called me one morning to meet him and the meeting took place in India last year. He said I have to help him regarding a new turf. Then for six months there was no communications, just before Christmas he rang me and told me that I have to go with him to Bangladesh. I think Bangladesh has enough potential to go ahead,” said Niven.
Regarding floodlights, Negre said the matter was being considered. “I think 300 lux would be enough but installing posts outside the stadium is an expensive option. We would prefer a system that can light the field from inside the venue, we are working on it,” he explained.
Khawja Rahmatullah, the general secretary of the federation, said OCA and the FIH will bear the 75% of the costs and the remaining 25% would be provided by the government. The cost of the turf is USD400,000.