India and Netherlands have entered into a partnership for launching the Colourfield concept at JLN Stadium in New Delhi, which has a basis of synthetic turf system by TenCate. The small-scale durable sports field has lighting powered by solar energy generated on site and by means of GreenSource stores and purifies water to make it suitable for drinking.

The Indian government, the Dutch government and a Dutch consortium of companies working under the organisation Dutch Sports Infrastructure are jointly working on the Colourfield concept. It was jointly inaugurated by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of India, Sports Authority of India, The Netherlands Embassy and Dutch Sports Infrastructure.

After dark, the sports field is lit by solar energy generated on site. Collected water is stored under the whole sports field and purified to become drinking water with the GreenSource water management system, which is part of the integrated sports system. Its annual capacity is 17 million litres.

Colourfield is a multi-functional, sustainable, mini sports arena that combines a social sports education program with a high level innovative multi-sports facility. The field exemplifies Dutch innovative technology, as well as the best practices that have been customised according to the Indian context, says the TenCate website.

‘We see Colourfield as a fine initiative that offers the opportunity to contribute to the well-being and social cohesion in developing areas in India. We think that this concept can be applied not only in other locations in India, but also in other countries where water is scarce and sun is abundant. Countries on the African continent spring to mind, and indeed Morocco has already shown interest,’ says Erik Smits of Zwarts & Jansma.

The system can contribute to employment and to strengthen the local community. The integrated system therefore responds to the 17 Global Goals of the United Nations for sustainable development. (KD)