There is a dearth of artificial hockey turfs in Pakistan today. In fact, at this point we only have 18 turfs funded by the Pakistan Sports Board. For the past two years, procedural formalities have been underway to lay out 12 more synthetic turfs. But this delay has raised the cost of the planned turfs considerably. Moreover, even if the 12 turfs become a reality soon, they would be inadequate in promoting hockey in this country.

For a significant wider selection, we need no less than a 100 artificial turfs, and in this regard, educational institutions can play a vital role.

Pakistan hockey, despite its illustrious past achievements has no major titles of international and regional acclaim to speak of. Partly to be blamed for this are educational institutions; there are no artificial hockey turfs in any government and private sector schools, colleges or universities even though they have the adequate funds. Similarly, the Pakistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education needs to provide basic facilities of Astroturf for the new generation of hockey players. Fortunately, a renowned school in Karachi, which has produced a number of international hockey players, has now promised to provide their students with an Astroturf.

The Pakistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education needs to provide basic facilities of Astroturf for the new generation of hockey players.

The PSB alone cannot lay the required artificial turf facilities, hence the provincial governments as well as multinational companies need to pitch in to promote the national game.

Among the 18 artificial turfs that Pakistan has, five are in Karachi, two in Lahore, and one each in Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Wah, Bannu, Gojra, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Hyderabad and Khushab.

The laying of artificial turfs at the Bahawalpur Hockey Stadium and Sargodha are in their final stages. Work is also underway at Gharia Cantonment Stadium as well as for another Astroturf in Quetta.

However, the artificial turfs planned under the PM`s package at Rawalkot Hockey Stadium, Sibi Hockey Stadium, Sargodha Maila Mand ground Muzaffarabad (Azad Jummu and Kashmir), Gilgit and Swat over two years ago, have yet to materialise. The Punjab chief minister has also announced that the Gujranwala Hockey Stadium and Gujarat Hockey Stadium will be provided with Astroturfs soon.