Indonesian hockey needs artificial-grass field

Indonesian hockey needs artificial-grass field

JAKARTA (JP): Field hockey in Indonesia is missing one thing -- a good field.

Primadi Tabarani of the Indonesian Field Hockey Association told The Jakarta Post that Indonesia desperately needs an artificial-grass field to develop the sport in Indonesia.

The International Olympic Committee ruled out play on natural grass since the 1976 Games in Montreal.

"Until today Indonesia still does not have such a field," said Primadi, who heads up the association's department of research and development.

Primadi, who is also the chairman of the West Java Hockey Association, blamed the absence for the sport's failure to develop here.

"All this time we've practiced on natural grass. But every time we have to participate in international tournaments it's difficult to adjust to the artificial turf," he said after speaking with the National Sports Council.

Primadi said that other countries routinely refuse invitations to come and play here because of the conditions.

"The situation results in our athletes losing experience because they don't have enough matches against other countries here and abroad," he said.

Rajkumar Singh, chairman of the association, told the Post that he hopes the association's patron, the Texmaco textile company, would provide a new field.

"Although we haven't received any official information, we hope they can provide at least one international standard field," he said.

Both officials said that if Indonesia wants to hold field hockey matches in the upcoming SEA Games here, the country has to have a field, which could take six to nine months to set up.

"If Indonesia does not have the field, it won't be picked as the Asian Games host," Singh said.

Primadi said that field hockey is known in Asia, but not very popular here. Since the 1960s, hockey has not been played at many elementary and high schools here.

"In many Asian countries, field hockey is taught in elementary schools and at military academies. But here only several high schools and academies have hockey teams," he said.

However, Singh said the association does not have any problem with a supply of players.

"Many students are interested in hockey even though it's not popular here," he said.

Indonesia won the field hockey bronze in the 17th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in 1993. At the last SEA Games, Indonesia was banned from taking part in the Games. (05)