Highlights:
- The Sardar Patel Stadium has been renamed to Narendra Modi Stadium
- President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the stadium in Ahmedabad
- The biggest cricket stadium in the world is hosting its first international match starting today since renovation
The newly revamped Motera cricket stadium in Ahmedabad was inaugurated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind and on Wednesday it was renamed to Narendra Modi Stadium.
The ground, which was earlier named the Sardar Patel Stadium, and more popularly known as the Motera stadium, has been renamed after the Prime Minister of India, who was also formerly the president of the Gujarat Cricket Association.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah who is Amit Shah’s son, were also present at the event. The Narendra Modi Stadium – which boasts the title of being the largest cricket ground in the world – is now hosting its first international match on Wednesday, when India takes on England in the Day-Night Test.
The stadium will be a part of the planned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in the city.
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During his address after the inauguration, President Kovind said, “This stadium was conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was president of the Gujarat Cricket Association at that time”.
He added, “This stadium is an example of eco-friendly development”.
At the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “1,32,000 people can sit and watch cricket here at the Narendra Modi Stadium which has been inaugurated by the President. This will be the world’s biggest sports stadium”.
He added, “Coupled with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built in Naranpura. These three will be equipped to host any international sports event”.
He also said, “Ahmedabad will be known as the ‘sports city’ of India”.
Amit Shah said, “Olympic Games can also be held here,” while talking about the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier said, “Not just for cricket but it’s a proud moment for India. Besides being the largest cricket stadium, it’s also one of the most modern stadiums in the world”.
He had said, “As children, we used to dream about the world’s largest stadium in India. And now as sports minister, my happiness knows no bounds that this has finally happened”.
The stadium held the knockout stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this year.
The stadium is now set to host seven international matches in quick succession.
The Narendra Modi Stadium is currently hosting the third test match between India and England and will also host the fourth Tests between India and England along with the entirety of the five-match T20I series between the two sides which is the part of England tour of India.