Sustainable, dry synthetic turf for hockey at LA Olympics | Hockey News
New Delhi: The hockey matches at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 could be played on a dry synthetic turf which will eliminate the need for watering the pitch. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has partnered with FIFA, the football’s global governing body, to develop non-irrigated surfaces aimed at reducing reliance on water-based astro turfs for environmental sustainability. These are based on types of synthetic turfs that have been developed to be used exclusively for the sport.FIH president Tayyab Ikram told TOI that the hockey body has closely been working with the FIFA Innovation team to create “non-water solution pitches” or ‘sand-dressed’ synthetic turfs to gradually phase out wet astro turfs, which are currently being used in top-tier competitions. “Football matches are largely played on dry surfaces which are not dependent on water. FIFA’s innovation team has encouraged non-water solution pitches. We have joined hands with FIFA to guide us in developing sand-dressed, non-irrigated pitches which can be used in future competitions, for an environment friendly approach,” Ikram said.
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The Netherlands’ Weesp city has become the world’s first hockey-playing nation to introduce a dry synthetic turf.Ikram said while it would be challenging to introduce dry surfaces in the subcontinent due to harsh weather conditions, especially in summers. “The universally-approved dry surface with advanced fibres will remain cool and won’t result in injuries,” he added.
