JNS: President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the newly-built, world largest Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The stadium is the biggest cricket stadium in the world as it has a total capacity of 1,32,000 spectators, will be a part of the planned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in the city.
Earlier known as Sardar Patel Stadium, this stadium has been renamed Narendra Modi stadium. He was also formerly a president of the Gujarat Cricket Association.
In his address, President said, “This stadium was conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat.”
“This stadium is an example of eco-friendly development,” he added.
The President also performed the Bhumi Pujan of the Sardar Patel Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, and the stadium will be its part.
Union home minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju were also present on the occasion.
“This newly-built Motera Stadium is not just the largest, but it is also one of the best stadiums in the world,” said Rijiju.
The stadium is spread over 63 acres, was erected at a cost of an estimated Rs 800 crore, and has a capacity to seat 1.32,000 people.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, which can hold 90,000, has been overtaken.
Key Points: –
- The stadium is the biggest cricket stadium in the world as it has a total capacity of 1,32,000.
- A total of 93,00,000 square feet of built space is proposed and the Sports Enclave will also be able to host about 2,50,000 visitors during an event day.
- The stadium is oval in shape and as a result, whenever a match is played on any of the 11 pitches, the boundary size will remain the same on both sides.
- The project will be jointly executed by the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA).
- The entire facility will offer venues for over 20 Olympic Games such as athletics, badminton, football, aquatics, basketball and many other indoor and outdoor sports.
- The sports enclave will also have a 15,000 capacity field hockey stadium and a 50,000 seat athletics-football stadium with a 400m track. A 5,000 capacity tennis stadium would also be there along with 12 additional tennis courts.
- On February 24, 2019, the then President of United States, Donald Trump had visited Motera Stadium for the ‘Namaste Trump’ event
