Kolkata set to get new hockey stadium

ByAmlan Majumdar, SportsCafe Editor

02/24/2016

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The iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Complex in Kolkata is all set to get a new hockey stadium after the Bengal Hockey Association (BHA) on Tuesday revealed that the West Bengal government has promised a new hockey stadium in the complex, which also hosts the Salt Lake stadium.

After reports emerged on Tuesday about the arrival of the Bengaluru-based team to the Hockey India League in the 2017 season, the hockey fever could next spread to Kolkata with the city getting a new hockey stadium.

"We have been assured by West Bengal minister of Sports and Youth affairs Aroop Biswas that the government will not only give us an astroturf to play hockey on but it will also build a moderate size stadium with modern facilities. The stadium will be good enough to host international matches," Olympic gold medallist and BHA vice-president Gurbux Singh told the media in Kolkata on Tuesday, reported IANS.

Although no time-frame has been set for the construction of the stadium, Gurbux Singh confirmed that the stadium will be able to accommodate 8000 to 10000 spectators.

"We know nothing for sure yet. But the work is going to start as soon as possible. We went for an inspection of the place on Friday and we liked it and we conveyed that to the minister (Biswas) who readily agreed.

"We have asked for a stadium which can accommodate 8,000 to 10,000 spectators," Singh added.

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Gurbux Singh also said that the arrival of the new stadium will give a new life to the sport in the state, which could also see the stadium hosting International and HIL matches in the future.

"We will look to hold national and international fixtures and we will try and get into the Hockey India League (HIL). We will try and revive the glorious past of the sport here," the 80-year-old said, reported IANS.

According to BHA secretary Swapan Banerjee, the iconic football clubs of Bengal could also return to the hockey field with Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting all signalling their intentions to play hockey with the arrival of a new stadium.

"All three clubs stated that they would play hockey again when they get an astroturf. I hope they will stick to their word," he said.