Artificial Turf for Real Players

• 17 Aug 2015
• Maria John
• Features

Text: Gautham Krishna     Photo: Krishnapriya

An artificial football turf in Kochi means a lot to thefootball lovers. Kochi has many grounds but if you start counting theprofessional ones, the list is very short. As the turf in B.R Ambedkar stadiumgot inaugurated by the Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, there blew thewhistle for a wonderful kick-off. The match between Central Excise Kochi andSBT Trivandrum went amicably well, and they evidently seemed to be happy andexcited to play in the new ground. Kerala Football Association (KFA) and GCDAjointly own the turf and the proposed gallery to be constructed shortly willhave a seating capacity of 10,000.

Players dribbled, crossed, tackled and chipped the ball totheir desired points while the opposite team defended, hijacked and dragged itinto their control.  SBT Trivandrum, thecurrent best team in Kerala, timed the attack and bagged the first win at thisartificial green blanket. The turf holds the centre position in the 9-acrestadium and will have the dressing room, rest rooms and medical roomfacilities.

Flood lights are the immediate need in the stadium and thetwo-star FIFA rating on the turf seemed to be enough and more to conductprofessional matches. “The FIFA funded turf seemed to be good, though therubber will take a quiet time to settle, but it’s not that far away that I seeanother professional ground in Kochi for the footballers” said Duleep Menon,representing Central Excise Kochi, also the shortlisted midfielder for thefirst edition of the ISL and National Games. Keeping aside the excitement of players, the other side ofthe field was filled with an excited public. Keralites have always taken thisprecious ball game to their heart and the grand opening paved a new path thatwill take the game to new levels in the state. Kochi now has one moreprofessional ground to reflect the citizen's hopes, cheers, emotionalaggressions and even those eye-catchy Mexican waves.