President of India, Ram Nath Kovind was on a 2 day visit to Gujarat from February 23 to 24, 2021. As part of his visit, he inaugurated the World’s Largest Cricket Stadium, the refurbished Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which was renamed as Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2021. It is named after the sitting Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi.
i.It has been set up by the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA).
ii.The stadium has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore and has an accommodation capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators.
iii.The President also laid foundation to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad.
Key People
The inauguration was done in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju among other dignitaries.
Points to Noted
The stadium has taken the top spot from Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia which can accommodate 90,000 to become the largest cricket stadium in the world
Highlights about Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium
Conceptualised– The stadium was conceptualised by PM when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was the president of Gujarat Cricket Association at that time
Area– It is spread over 63 acres. The total area of the stadium is equal to 32 Olympic size soccer fields put together.
Enclave– The stadium is inside the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave
Background
It is to be recalled that, the Sardar patel Cricket Stadium which had a seating capacity of 49,000 was closed in 2015 to demolish it and rebuild a new one in its place which will be the largest in the world with the best of facilities.
Note: The 1st match after the opening of the stadium is the 3rd Test between India and England, a day-night game that started from February 24, 2021. It will also host the fourth and final game of the series from March 4, 2021
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave
i.In addition to the stadium, it will have a natatorium, Athletics/ Track and Field/Football stadium, Field Hockey & Tennis Stadium, Indoor Sports Halls/Arenas, Outdoor Fields Veldrome/ Skating Area.
ii.It is spread over 200 acres on the Sabarmati river bank in the North East of Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad to become Sports City of India
i.In addition to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave & Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built-in Naranpura.
ii.These 3 will be equipped to host any international sports event, with this Ahmedabad will be known as the ‘sports city’ of India.
Key Info
As part of his 2 day visit to Gujarat, the President went to Central University of Gujarat (CUG) at Gandhinagar, Gujarat on February 23, 2021 as a chief guest of CUG’s 3rd convocation.
Recent Related News:
President of India Ram Nath Kovind visited Diu Town in the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu from December 25-28, 2020. During the visit, he laid Foundation stone & Inaugurated many developmental projects.
About Gujarat:
Festival– Rann Utsav, Navratri, Uttarayan, Janmashtami, Bhadra Purnima
Fort– Bhujia Fort, Roha Fort, Kanthkot Fort, Tera Fort, Zinzuwada Fort
