Poligras trusted and chosen for Asia World Cup Qualifier
The Hero Asia Cup Jakarta 2022 staged on Poligras
On 23 May 2022, the majestic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta will open its gates to the top eight men’s hockey nations across Asia.
India, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh and Indonesia will compete for the Asia Cup knowing there is more than a continental title at stake when the final whistle blows on 1 June.
The Hero Asia Cup marks the final stage of the FIH Men’s World Cup qualifying pathway, with all teams apart from 2023 World Cup hosts, India, battling it out for the final three spots in Bhubaneswar in January 2023. It is fitting therefore, that the players will step out onto Poligras, the official 2023 World Cup surface, for this crucial qualifying event.
Poligras pitch in place since 2018 Asian Games
The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was also host to the 2018 Asian Games. Shaun Goudie, as head of major global events who led the installation of the world-class Poligras pitch there, recalls the unique challenge it presented:
“Major sporting events are huge construction endeavours and sport surfaces are at their centre. Delivering the hockey turf for one of the most unique and challenging events in the world meant being involved from the very start, advising on the field of play design and the construction works before the pitch was laid so that it would meet the standards required and stand the test of time. I am immensely proud to see it continuing to provide the stage for the best hockey nations in Asia four years on.”
2023 FIH Men’s World Cup played on Poligras
This same knowledge and experience will guide the team laying the state-of-the-art Poligras surface for the 2023 Odisha Men’s World Cup at the brand new 25,000-seater Birsa Munda Stadium. The Olympic-quality turf will feature the Green Technology developed for Tokyo2020 and will mark another exceptional Asian hockey project for Poligras.
“Turf hockey is fast and exciting with unlimited possibilities, so every time a quality turf is installed, hockey gets a boost.”
Major events show strength of Asian Hockey
These major events show the strength of hockey in Asia at an elite level which is echoed at the development level. The Asian Hockey Federation boasts 40 nations which means that hockey is now being played in almost every country in Asia.
As AHF’s CEO Tayyab Ikram explains;
“Hockey infrastructure is growing across Asia. Almost all second-tier nations have turf projects in their pipeline. This is very important. Turf hockey is fast and exciting with unlimited possibilities, so every time a quality turf is installed, hockey gets a boost.”
As Asia’s top men’s teams step out onto their world-class pitch in Jakarta on 23 May the game in the region will be given another huge boost.