LAHORE, April 12: The Punjab University is yet be equipped with an Astroturf at its old campus hockey ground despite having a synthetic pitch gifted four years ago.

The university had received the used synthetic surface which was earlier installed at Lahore’s National Hockey Stadium (NHS) untill 1998.

The NHS got a brand new polly grass turf weeks before the Champions Trophy, while Punjab Sports Board (PSB) presented the used pitch to the university.

The PSB, which controls the NHS, had taken the decision considering the university as an ideal venue located in the heart of the city.

But the used Astro turf, now lying in the open, still awaits to be laid at the university campus.

According to an estimate by the university four years back, Rs five million were required to lay the turf and the installation of the water sprinklers.

But the concerned officials did not take into consideration a technical hitch when they decided the venue as the surface where the pitch is to be laid is much below the actual ground level.

The situation during the rainy season aggravates when the rain water accumulates giving the piece of land a look of a lake suitable for boating. Initially, the PSB had verbally assured the Punjab University of its financial support saying the board would share half of the total amount to be spent on the project.

But so far there is no word from the PSB about the promise it had made four year ago.

On the other hand, university officials are also busy spending huge amount on other projects including building of a stadium at the new campus.