New Delhi: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is contemplating introducing a water-free synthetic turf, which can be used for other sports also.
International hockey will be played on a water-free synthetic turf within the next five years after a recent meeting of the FIH Equipment Committee gave its go-ahead for testing out the idea.
Owing to the significant development in the standard of pitches in the past few years, the FIH is thinking of doing away with the water-sprayed turfs, which has been in use for the last 30 years.
Besides, it is also concerned about the wastage of water and the cost involved in spraying it on turfs.
"We must take account of environmental and cost concerns. We must develop pitches which use less and ideally no water without detracting from the fundamental playing characteristics of hockey," said Equipment Committee chairperson Jean-Claude LeClef.
"We have been encouraged by the response from the turf industry which is very supportive. They believe the aim is achievable," he added.
The FIH is aware that schools, colleges and local communities cannot afford to install turfs for individual sports but want to use synthetic surfaces, which can be used throughout the year.
"There are good indications that by working closely with turf manufacturers and our laboratories we can soon come up with a multi-sport surface which is suitable for hockey," LeClef said.
The new turf will not only be cost-effective but eco-friendly too.
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