Our best memories of being a sports fan often circle at a time when we used small roads and open fields for cricket or football. The rules were done while running and it was all about playing until the call came from our families to return home – or when it was too dark to continue.
As we aged and moved to large cities – where the fields were replaced by cabins and conference rooms – the urge to enjoy sports. But in cities, space has always been a problem. Where do we have to play? Is there a place where you can enjoy your favorite sport and contact your friends at the weekend? Yes, the usual arguments about the foul or whether the catch was accepted purely will also continue.
But do sports enthusiasts play space in the main Indian cities? The answer is yes. The culture of the lawn in India has led to the rise of several small land with artificial surfaces, allowing people to enjoy their favorite sport. And it’s not just limited to cricket and football. We saw sport as hockey and Pickleball mines massively with new lawns coming.
Simple Google search for a sports lawn in Delhi will leave you spoiled for selection. And it’s not just limited to cricket and football – also include pick -up, hockey and various other disciplines. According to the research report, India Artificial Turf Market Overview 2028, published by Bonafide Research, the Indian artificial lawn market is expected to grow to 9.5% Cagr (composed annual growth rate) from 2023 to 2028.
Cities like Delhi, Mumbai and even states like Kerala have seen that this culture of the lawn ignites and gains strength. But why was there such a boom in Turf Culture? And what is the long -term goal of these lawns?
Why the boom?
Mr. Nasir Ali, founder and CEO of Gallant Sports and Infra Ltd., was a pioneer in the creation and maintenance of artificial lawns. His company was at the forefront of this revolution in India – from building lawns in large cities to Changhang, Ladakh and to our schools and universities – supports the growth of sports between masses.
Today, Mr. Ali remembered the time when Futsal Field in Mumbai set up in 2012 and how communities began to form around him.
“I was the first to set up the Futsal field in India, in 2012 in Mumbai. This idea was inspired by trends in countries such as Australia, where people who have not played for years are returning to sport.
He pointed out how working experts, including high -level workers, began to use these lawns to connect and entertain. She feels that the lawn culture has become a community movement.
“These are community sports. After office hours, managers, business owners-everybody wants to play something fast and fun. Places.
“The lawn culture is alive and prosperous because people enjoy it. Whether they are keral, Goa, Mumbai or even Bengaluru, people prefer to spend an hour of sports than to sit in a café.
Psychological aspect of lawn cultivation
Is there a psychological aspect for this ascension? Before the location of Covid-19, we began to notice the shift of mentality-people were more conscious fitness.
This trend has grown only in recent years, with more individuals to enroll in the gym and occupy sports to stay fit.
Dr. Sneha Sharma, a consultant psychiatrist and founder Anvaya Healthcare, believes that lawns offer a platform for people who can connect while they focus on their condition. He sees this as the main reason for the rise of the lawn culture in India – and why he probably won’t disappear soon.
“One of the primary reasons is the changing lifestyle and social structure. Previously, people lived in widespread families and well -known neighborhoods where socialization and community game were natural.
“The cities themselves lack open spaces for occasional games and community gatherings. This has led to increased loneliness that is now recognized as the main problem. People are looking for ways to build a connection. Turfs provide this platform – offering socialization and condition. Sharma.
“Physically, yes-people want to stay fit. But fitness can be achieved in many ways. What is unique on these lawn-based activities is the social dimension they add
“Even in gyms, people form bonds. But when you are playing sports on a lawn, it naturally builds cooperation, teamwork, decision -making and emotional regulation. These are valuable life skills. In an aspect that goes and an aspect that develops in an aspect that is on growth, and the aspect is on growth, and the aspect is on growth, and an aspect is on growth and aspect is aspect.
Dr. Gaurav Bhardwaj, director-surgeon for sports and joint surgeon at Psri Hospital in Delhi, noted that the post-pandemic era recorded an increase in awareness of fitness, many heading to the lawns to engage in sport.
“In the after -question is one of the most popular trends we have witnessed, a significant increase in participation in the proposal of sport and recreational physical activities. Pandemics served as alarm challenge for many, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness and well -being and overall. Bhardwaj, ”he said he claims that Dr. Bhardwaj.
Like Dr. Sharma also feels that team sports offer an ideal combination of physical exertion, mental stimulation and social interactions.
“Unlike the sometimes monotonous routines, team and competitive sports offer the ideal combination of physical exertion, mental stimulation and social interactions. These games provide a sense of camaraderie, entertainment and rise and create a much more sustainable and pleasant way to health and fitness,” Bhardwaj.
Can the lawn culture produce other Indian superstars?
One of the natural questions that arises is whether the lawn culture can produce the next generation of Indian sports superstars. We saw the tennis ball tournaments discovered talents like Akash Deep and Akash Madhwal, who created names in the Indian cricket.
At the international level of the country as Brazil, they constantly produce talent from futsal and street football. Is it possible to replicate it in India?
“Frankly, no. SuperStars come from schools, not from adults playing to the office. We need larger facilities in schools and universities. The lawn culture is based on free time. It is not a vocational education environment,” Mr. Ali said.
Dr. Sharma shared a similar opinion and noted that more structured training that lawns may not always provide.
“The lawn-based formats are often modified versions of the original game-for example, a football or boxed cricket 5-a-side. They are more recreational than competitive.”
“So, even if these spaces are excellent for discovering interest in sport, they are not sufficiently structured or intense to constantly produce elite athletes. Training, coaching, structured competition – all is still necessary,” Sharma.
However, Mr. Ali believes that Turf’s culture plays a key role in the overall development of a sports ecosystem.
“But this is essential for overall sports culture. If adults start playing, children are inspired. Right now they go home after school and jump on their mobile phones or iPads. If their parents see the sports arenas instead of shopping centers, they will be encouraged to play.”
Dr. Sharma agreed and added that lawns could serve as a gate for deeper sports.
“Turfs can absolutely serve as a gate. A young person can find out that he loves football or cricket on the lawn, and then decide to continue more seriously elsewhere. It is about creating awareness and approach. Sharma.
With India to host the 2036 Olympics And more main sports events in the near future can certainly serve as a starting point. While for the current generation, there may be a way to escape the monotony of everyday life, for the younger generation it could be a spark that ignites lifelong love for the game.
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Published on:
20th July 2025
