AHMEDABAD: Indian President Ram Rath Kovind Wednesday officially inaugurated the newly revamped Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, which has now been renamed the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The change of name from Sardar Patel, India’s first deputy Prime Minister, to Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of the country, was announced during the inauguration ceremony.
For the record, Modi is also a former president of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA).
The inaugural also had Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who stepped down as GCA president in September 2019 (and has not been replaced), his son Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary, and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, in attendance.
During the inauguration ceremony, Amit Shah also announced a new Sports Enclave which will be built, encompassing the Narendra Modi Stadium. The new sports enclave will be named as Sardar Patel Sports Enclave as Ahmedabad is gearing up to host one of the state-of-the-art sports facilities which will match international standards.
“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,” Shah said.
The renaming of the stadium – the largest cricket ground in the world – preceded the start of the day-night third Test between India and England, the first international match at the new venue.
“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,” Kovind said in his address after the inauguration.
“This stadium is an example of eco-friendly development,” he added.
“1,32,000 people can sit and watch cricket here at the Narendra Modi Stadium which ahs been inaugurated by the President. This will be the world’s biggest sports stadium,” Shah said.
“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,” the home minister noted.
Speaking earlier, Rijiju 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.”
Last year on the same day, Modi had hosted US President Donald Trump in a mega event “Namaste Trump” at the stadium.
Spread over 63 acres, 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. It will not only host the third (ongoing) and fourth Tests between India and England, but also as the entirety of the five-match T20I series between the two sides.
