Work on laying 15 pitches at D Y Patil stadium begins

Mumbai, Jun 5 (UNI) The D Y Patil Sports Academy has started digging out the centre of the pitch of D Y Stadium here, to begin work on laying new pitches.

Vijay Patil, president of the academy, while speaking at the inaugural function of the JK Bose All India Cricket Tournament for Sports Journalists that began at the DY Patil's ground, next to the stadium, said ''We were told that 15 pitches are necessary and have begun work on that.'' Patil said they were also changing the Tiffway grass, which is used for golfing fairways. It was found that it does not grow as fast as other types once there's a bare patch, he said.

Patil said the stadium would be put to use for other sports also.

He said it was a pleasure hosting this event. ''I grew up reading reports of the sports journalists. This stadium got the big matches on the basis of what the good things the media projected about us. I am happy to reciprocate by hosting this event,'' he said.

Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) vice-president Pradeep Vijayakar said, Patil had been open to all suggestions for improvement and he was sure even football and hockey would be played at Nerul.

SJFI president Sandeep Nakai said it was great that the secretary G Viswanath has moved the event out of south Mumbai so that journalists from all over the country could get a taste of the other parts of the city.

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