Sports infrastructure has evolved dramatically in the last few decades in India, with synthetic turf fields dominating the scene. Every athlete has a right to quality playing and practice surfaces, and with the introduction of synthetic field turf all across the country, athletes now have access to quality playing grounds! But how did it begin, and how has it changed our arenas forever? In this article, we are going to look into the history of artificial turf fields and how they have evolved over the years in India and changed the face of Indian sports infrastructure.

The history of synthetic turf

Artificial turf fields have a very long history, but one thing is sure; over the years, they have transformed sports across continents! The first synthetic turf was installed on a recreational space in a school called Moses Brown School in 1964 in the USA. However, artificial turf fields became well known around sports circles after AstroTurf installed one in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. After this, many followed suit and adopted artificial turf fields, and one of the major fields to adopt these brand new playing surfaces was Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania, home to the Philadelphia Eagles (an American football team), in 1969.

In the early 1970s, artificial synthetic turf began to be used in hockey fields, and this changed the game; hockey became faster, injuries decreased, the precision of players increased, and the maintenance of fields became much easier. However, Indian hockey players who excelled in the game were not used to the synthetic fields and struggled to adapt to the new playing surface for a while. With time, we have adjusted to the changes, and the glorious medal win at the last Tokyo Olympics has proved it.

Today, high-end artificial turf fields dominate almost all sports fields across the world, and technological and engineering advancements in artificial turf manufacturing in the last few decades have changed a lot globally in the sports field. India was also part of that change; with artificial turf fields in every part of the country, we have young talents practicing and performing well without suffering from the limitations of a lackluster playing surface. The benefits of playing on artificial turf have definitely had a huge positive influence on the development of sports in India.

Benefits of synthetic turf fields

Cricket, hockey, and football are a few of the most popular sports in India, and across the country, artificial turf fields are the most popular choice for cricket, hockey, and football fields. Apart from mainstream sports fields, artificial turfs are used in club grounds, schools, colleges, community playgrounds, and recreational spaces.

All-weather playability: Unlike traditional natural grass playing surfaces, synthetic turf fields are ready to host athletes all year without being affected by weather changes. In India, monsoon and summer are the main seasons, and often rain becomes a villain on natural grass fields across the country. But with artificial turf fields, you can expect consistent playability all year, regardless of the weather.

Low maintenance: One of the greatest advantages of synthetic turf fields is that they are exceptionally low maintenance compared to their natural counterparts. With much less water and no fertilizers spent on artificial turf fields, they not only save you time and money, but they are also environmentally sustainable.

Long-lasting: Synthetic turf fields are designed to withstand heavy footfall; incredible durability is another perk of choosing artificial turf. With minimal but regular upkeep and a proper installation process, artificial turf fields will last for a couple of decades, even with heavy usage.

Consistency: Artificial turf fields generally stay consistent throughout the year, and this consistency naturally reduces injuries. Turf fields are also perfect to use as practice fields due to their consistency and all-weather playability.

Cost-effective: Though the initial cost of the turf and installation process might be a little high, in the long run, synthetic turf fields are the cost-effective option due to their low maintenance costs and long lifetime. Artificial turf fields are an investment you can bet on when it comes to their durability and playability.

Conclusion

Synthetic turf fields evolved in India over the years, and the technical advancements in this field have made quality sports fields accessible for everyone. Surekha Exports is one of India’s premium artificial sports infrastructure builders, with more than 18 years of experience in the industry. We are proud to be a part of the long history and bright future of synthetic turf fields in India. We prioritize quality in our projects and only use premium FIFA-certified products and turfs from the best turf grass manufacturers in India. Connect with us to learn more about our artificial turf installation process and maintenance services.