KARACHI, May 20: A New Astro Turf will be laid at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium by end of July, this year, Director Administration, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Col Abdul Rauf said Tuesday.

He said contract of laying of new turf has been awarded by Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) few weeks ago and new astro turf would be shipped here next month.

Rauf said a senior official of PSB had visited HCP last year for inspection. The turf will be laid at a cost of Rs 32 million.

It was likely that the cost may get further reduction if the base of the old turf was found in good condition.

He said a representative of the supplier firm of the Astro Turf recently visited the stadium and gave go ahead signal to PHF to remove the worn out turf which was laid 12 years ago.

He said life of old turf expired in 1998 but it was continuously used for lower level hockey competitions.

In the first phase, he said the renovation of the base of the turf would be completed by the end of June and the work to lay the new turf will begin in the first week of July.

An expert of contractual firm will supervise the renovation and laying of the turf.

The PHF Director said PSB released the grant for the astro turf on the directives of President General Pervez Musharraf.

He said PSB has already allocated funds for laying of five new astro turfs in various parts of Pakistan including HCP.

Commenting on the old turf, he said its pieces will be used at the side of the muddy and grassy area close to the new turf.

He expressed the hope that new turf will boost the hockey activities and game in metropolis which were badly hampered due to worn out turf.

Rauf said after laying of the astro turf, the PHF will approach various sponsors and advertising companies to replace old hoardings and chairs.

He said since his take over, HCP has increased its income by over Rs 2 million per annum.

The national camps and other hockey activities were shifted to Pakistan Steel Township and UBL Sports Complex due to poor conditions of HCP turf.—APP