Accra, Feb. 24, GNA - Hockey has been given a new lease of life with the approval of more than 22,000 Euros for the rehabilitation of the sand-based synthetic pitch in Accra.

A letter sighted by the GNA Sports and signed by Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff directed the Bank of Ghana to release 22,220.00 Euros to the Hockey Association for the repair of the damaged portions of the astro turf in Accra.

The current astro turf, constructed in 1999 with support from the International Hockey Federation (IHF) has deteriorated making play there less attractive.

Plans are also afoot to access 100,000 Euros from the World body to construct at least two new water-based turfs to take the pressure off the sand-based. One will be at Legon and the other venue yet to be decided.

The IHF and the African Hockey Federation (AHF) promised the nation at the last Hockey Cup of Nations in Pretoria, South Africa, that it would put its weight behind the Ghana Hockey Association's negotiation with government for a new water-based astro turf. The two bodies will give technical direction as to how the pitch is to be constructed to meet international standards. The sand-based turf is no longer in use at major international competitions and Ghanaian teams always struggle to adjust each time they travel for tournaments.

This was highly evident when the male and female national teams competed in the Pretoria tournament where they struggled to win silver and bronze.