Demonstration at KSCA Stadium as to how the next-generation subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system works. This water logged surface became dry in less than five minutes when the system was switched on
WELCOME THE NEXT-GENERATION CRICKET OUTFIELD AT CHINNASWAMY STADIUM, BANGALORE
“Match called off / delayed at Chinnaswamy Stadium due to wet outfield”. This headline which appeared quite often will soon be a thing of the past. Welcome to the next-generation cricket outfield! The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has installed the next-generation subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system from SubAir, USA at Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bangalore) making it the first ever installation of such a technology for Cricket stadiums worldwide. KSCA Hon. Vice President Mr Sudhakar Rao said, “This is KSCA’s latest project in our constant endeavor to introduce cutting edge technologies in the interest of the game and the fans. Everyone understands that when it rains, it is an act of God…but once it stops raining, it will be inexcusable to delay or cancel a game due to a wet outfield. With this high-tech solution from SubAir, fastest resumption of the game is now possible.” The SubAir system automatically kicks into action the minute it starts raining, thereby not allowing any buildup of water on the outfield. It quickly removes standing water (36 times faster than drainage by gravity!) virtually eliminating the need for extended game delays or cancellations due to wet outfield conditions. So in reality, it could rain at 2AM on the day of the match, yet, without any manual intervention, the suction system gets activated through signals from the remote sensors embedded in the field. Water begins to get evacuated at the rate of over 10,000 Liters/minute, from the moment it begins to rain. As this can evacuate water faster than it can rain, the outfield is therefore ready for play within minutes of rain subsiding. This is a generational leap forward from when stadiums used to begin the water drainage or sopping operations after it has stopped raining. Mr. Sanjay Desai Vice president further added, “Fan experience is our primary objective. Additionally, there is a risk of Rs.80-100 Crores (US$12-15 Million) when a game gets washed out including losses to the paying public, the TV Broadcasters and advertisers, in-stadia advertisers etc. We believe we have addressed this challenge with the SubAir System”. Mr. Vinay Mruthyunjaya, Spokesperson, KSCA said, “This technology makes tremendous economic and financial sense for KSCA and many games will be saved in the future”. The SubAir Sport System also provides the curators at Chinnaswamy Stadium the ability to promote healthier, stronger, and safer turf. With its aeration function that operates round the clock, the SubAir System provides an optimal growing environment for the root zone, thereby minimizing turf diseases, algae, excessive thatch and black layer. The aeration function also helps in reducing the surface temperature on the turf, making it more comfortable for the players. Hyderabad-based Great Sports Infra, South Asia’s leading provider of turnkey solutions for sports infrastructure and also the exclusive licensee of SubAir for Cricket stadiums worldwide has designed, supplied and executed project. The scope included a massive renovation of the outfield along the lines of USGA standards. This meant excavating over 1,000 truckloads of soil, grading, compaction, laying geo-textile, trenching, laying perforated pipes ranging from 150mm to 800mm Diameter (totaling a network of over 4.5 Kms!), gravel layer and a layer of finely graded sand mixed with organic manure and nutrients, before the Bermuda grass was planted on the top. The resultant outfield possibly surpasses the best outfield anywhere in the cricketing world!
This is how the water logged surface looked like after five minutes of the system was switched on. It was like a magic for the persons gathered at the demonstration.
The sub-surface network of perforated pipes is configured in a closed loop and connected to the SubAir Sport System, which is housed under the stands. The combination of this sub-base design and the SubAir system helps optimize the use of water needed for the turf, as well as capture the entire rainwater or any excess irrigation and redirect it completely for rain water harvesting. Anil Kumar, Managing Director of Great Sports Infra says, “We are glad to provide the SubAir aeration and water evacuation technology to KSCA, which will make it the most modern outfield in the cricketing world. Considering that millions of dollars are at risk when a match gets cancelled due to a wet outfield, KSCA has shown great vision in pioneering the use of this next generation technology. Many other cricket stadiums are now interested in adopting the same for their modernization plans.” Kevin Crowe, Senior Vice President at SubAir says, “SubAir has proven itself across various sports like Baseball, Soccer, Rugby, Golf etc. This system is used at some of the best stadiums worldwide including Wembley (UK), New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, BMO Field (Canada), Etihad Stadium (Manchester City) etc., and has over 500 installations. It has also been used for the NFL, 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) and would also be in use in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia (2018).” Currently there is no scientific measurement of actionable data related to salinity, temperature and moisture content. The SubAir system acquires data from all over the field through embedded wireless sensors and then takes appropriate corrective action keeping the field healthy and in optimal conditions, fostering stronger roots and turf.
About Great Sports Infra: GSI is South Asia’s leading provider of turnkey solutions for sports infrastructure. It was the first company to introduce the next-generation artificial grass – Field Turf and today, there are over 5,500 installations in 230 cities & amp; towns in South Asia. The product portfolio spans artificial grass for sports & landscaping, complete range of indoor and outdoor sports surfaces, synthetic athletic tracks, sports field conditioning systems and turf protection tiles. Starting in 2004, they have installed over 10 million Sft. of sports surfaces and executed some of the prestigious projects like India’s first FIFA certified football field, Synthetic Hockey Turf for Hockey World League Finals (Raipur), India’s first 9-hole artificial turf Golf academy, Vibrant Gujarat (Mahatma Mandir), 4 projects for the 35th National Games (Kerala), India’s largest Indoor sports surfacing (Govt. of Gujarat), World Military Games, 35 Futsal courts for Govt. of Maldives, 2 Synthetic Athletic Tracks for Govt. of Mauritius, FIFA certified football fields in Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka etc. GSI is a winner of CII-Business Line ‘Emerging Entrepreneur’ Award 2012, Skoch Achiever Award (India's Best SMEs) 2015, South Asia Education Summit Award, 2015 – Best Sport Empowerment, featured in CNBC's Young Turks and FICCI’s “25 Best Sports Start-ups” in India, Finalist of the prestigious TATA NEN Hottest Startups and Economic Times – Power of Ideas. www.greatsportsinfra.com
About KSCA: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (formerly the Mysore Cricket Association) is committed to develop Karnataka as the premier cricketing state in the country. It aims to take the game to mofussil areas of the state for development at the grassroots level and to continuously promote the welfare of its players. The KSCA was founded during the year 1933-34 and affiliated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Association made steady progress from 1934 to 1959 when the Silver Jubilee was celebrated to coincide with the visit of the Australian team to Bangalore to play against the Combined Universities XI. In the late Sixties the Association acquired its own cricket ground and the stadium now known as the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium came into being. Bangalore became a Test centre, and several memorable tests and One-Day International matches, including the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals, have taken place here. The Karnataka State Cricket Association has grown from strength to strength and is today one of the best-organised State Cricket Associations in the country. The Association today has over 4000 members from diverse backgrounds. www.ksca.cricket
About SubAir Systems: www.subairsystems.com
For any further details please contact – Konnections Anusha Gude – 9515718649 | anusha@konnections.co.in Mukta Kumar – 9885907090 | mukta.kumar@konnections.co.in
