KSCA to modernize the Chinnaswamy stadium

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is known for its adaptability to the latest technology in cricket and modernization and acceptability of latest technology to cricket benefitting the viewers and also the public by large.

Almost a year ago, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore became the first cricket stadium not only in India but globally to have a rooftop solar power plant. KSCA had installed a 400KW solar power plant on the stadium which resulted in the plant generating 5.90 lakh units per year, equivalent to powering 200 AEH (All Electric Homes) households using three KW power annually and also saving about 600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. “KSCA has set an example as a stadium able to use its space for helping protect the environment for our children in the years to come,” the secretary of KSCA Brijesh Patel had said.

Then it was early this month when a water treatment plant was installed in the stadium itself. When the whole country was reeling under drought and cricket stadiums in Maharashtra fought legal battles to source water for watering the stadium, the KSCA took matters into their own hands and built a water treatment plant that would generate 2.1 lakh litres every day. Not only in Chinnaswamy stadium, the KSCA plans to use this concept in all stadiums under them.

After extensive research and technical evaluations, they have adopted a new concept which wouldn’t let matches end abruptly just because of wet outfields due to rains. The KSCA has decided to install the next-generation subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system from SubAir, USA. This would mark the first-ever installation of SubAir in cricket stadiums worldwide. The Secretary Brijesh Patel said, “KSCA strives to introduce latest 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 machine works in a simple way. First, it starts functioning from the moment, the first drop of rain touches the ground by not allowing any logging of water on the outfield at a speed 36 times faster than gravity draining the water from the outfield. This will not bring a reason for a match to be cancelled after rains have ceded. The curators will have the ability to make a stronger turf with this technology. The SubAir system also helps in minimizing turf diseases, algae, excessive thatch and black layer.

Hyderabad-based Great Sports Infra, South Asia’s leading provider of innovative solutions for sports infrastructure is the exclusive licensee for SubAir systems to cricket stadiums. They were also the ones contracted for this project. Anil Kumar, Managing Director of Great Sports Infra told the media, “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.”

The function of aeration in this system also allows for balancing and reducing the temperature of the grounds. The renovation of the outfield is done according to the United States Golf Association standards. Under this system, there is also a sub-surface network of perforated pipes for aeration and drainage, in a closed loop system and connected to the SubAirSports System. It helps in optimizing water usage in the stadium and also allows for Rain Water Harvesting. KSCA like always has pioneered in the adoption of new technology and has become a trendsetter for associations managing cricket stadiums.

“SubAir has proven itself across various sports like Baseball, Soccer, Rugby, Golf etc. This system is used at some of the best stadiums worldwide 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,” the senior vice-president of SubAir Kevin Crowe said.

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