Saltlake Stadium: FIFA 2-Star Certified!

The artificial turf of the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata has received the status of "FIFA 2-Star Certified". It is the first such certification for a ground in south Asia. The 1984 build stadium last year received a new turf, which was the first artificial turf ground at a stadium in India. The artificial turf was chosen for the Saltlake Stadium to ensure that more matches could be played at the massive 120,000 capacity stadium even under the most difficult conditions - summer heat, monsoonal rains, etc.

"This is the only FIFA Recommended field in India and it is only fitting that this prestigious designation belongs to Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium)," says Anil Kumar, Director of FieldTurf Tarkett India.

The project was undertaken by FieldTurf Tarkett India at a cost of Rs. 5 crores in 97 days with funding coming from the Government of West Bengal. The initial impressions were mixed. I remember last year the first set of matches, the semifinals of the IFA Shield, could only be played as the ground was artificial otherwise the natural ground wouldn't have allowed any football in heavy monsoon conditions; but late that year and especially late in last seasons I-League players complained about the smell of rubber and radiation from the hot underfoot conditions.

And I sadly have to agree to this after my first match impression. I had the chance to play on the Saltlake Stadium artificial turf on Wednesday for Bayern Munich Allstars and it wasn't all fine with me. Surely I am not as fit I could and should be, but I felt my bones and joints after my appearance, which doesn't normally happen to me when I play on artificial grounds in Germany or Europe. The ground was heavily watered ahead of the game, which made it slippery while warming-up and it seemed the heavy watering was done as the ground hadn't been properly watered in recent weeks. I hope maintainance is given more importance otherwise the ground will not sustain for too long.

Also under the 'Win in India with India' program of FIFA four more artificial turf grounds have been awarded to Mumbai, Bangalore, Shillong and Imphal; while in a second phase four to six more grounds are set to be installed across the country. But if maintenance is not