Asian Champions Trophy hockey: TN CM Stalin inaugurates carbon-zero turf in Chennai

The Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai has undergone a significant upgrade, including the installation of the Poligras Paris GT zero hockey turf, ahead of the start of next month’s Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday (July 28) inaugurated the brand new turf in a ceremony attended by the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and others.

The Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 will also serve as a preparatory event for the all-important Hangzhou Asian Games. India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and China will compete for the coveted Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 from August 3 to 12.

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The intricately designed Hockey Zero turf is made with 80 per cent sugarcane and manufactured with green energy. The turf requires less water and hence has been designed to make it friendly for the environment by preventing.

The turf was also successfully used during the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela which was held earlier this year in January. The same turf will also be used for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026.

Speaking on the occasion, Stalin said, “With the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 set to begin shortly, I extend a very warm welcome to all the participating teams to our beautiful city. I am very delighted today to inaugurate a first-of-its-kind environment-friendly hockey turf. The Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu’s decision to opt for the carbon-zero turf showcases our government’s dedication towards the preservation of the environment, while also providing the best facilities for our athletes. I congratulate all the officials who have tirelessly worked towards hosting a successful tournament and wish all the teams the very best.”

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“It is a great honour that Chennai is hosting the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 and the cherry on the cake is the fact that we are doing so on a carbon-zero turf. This is a testament to the state’s commitment towards sports and sports infrastructure. With this initiative, we want to continue supporting and developing the youth of this state,” Udhayanidhi said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the pitch, Hockey India (HI) President Dilip Tirkey said, “We are delighted to host the prestigious Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 on carbon-free hockey turf. Apart from being environmentally-friendly, the turf will also provide a chance for the top nations in Asia to compete for the trophy on the best infrastructure available. We are confident that players from all the participating nations will enjoy playing on the newly laid turf and will be delighted to be a part of the movement towards preservation of the environment.”