Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
সৰুসজাই ষ্টেডিয়াম (Sarusajai Stadium)
The Main Stand of the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in the background while the players of the Indian National Football team and the Laos National Football team warm-up under the floodlights.
Location Sarusajai, Guwahati, Assam
Coordinates 26°06′56″N 91°45′37″E / 26.11556°N 91.76028°E / 26.11556; 91.76028Coordinates: 26°06′56″N 91°45′37″E / 26.11556°N 91.76028°E / 26.11556; 91.76028
Owner Government of Assam
Capacity 23,850[1]
Record attendance 32,844 on 20 October 2016, NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin[2]
Field size 103 m × 70 m (113 yd × 77 yd)
Surface Grass
Opened 2007
Tenants
India national football team (2011–present)
NorthEast United FC (2014–present)
Aizawl (2017-18 for AFC Cup group stage matches)

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium also known as Sarusajai Stadium [3] is a football stadium in Guwahati, Assam, India. Besides hosting football matches, the stadium is also used for athletics. It has a total capacity of 35,000 which was later reduced to 23,850 due to installation of bucket seats for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which was hosted in India. In 2007, it hosted the 33rd National Games of India and in 2016, hosted the South Asian Games. The stadium hosted the Assam Global Investors' Summit on 3 and 4 February, 2018.

The stadium recorded the highest attendance for a football game in northeast India when 32,844 spectators came to see the ISL match between local club NorthEast United and visitors Chennaiyin on 20 October, 2016 till 5 January, 2018 when it was broken by Khuman Lampak Main Stadium of Imphal, Manipur with 35,285 spectators.

History

The stadium is located in Lokhra, Guwahati, Assam, Northeast India and is a one-tier stadium with roofing only over the main stand. There is only a limited number of seats in the main stand and the rest was just standing area however bucket seats are now installed for all the standing areas to conduct the FIFA U17 world cup, 2017.

The stadium pays tribute to the late Indira Gandhi who was the fourth Prime Minister of India. An international friendly between India and Malaysia was played at this stadium on 13 November 2011. On 12 March 2015 India played against Nepal for the 2018 World Cup qualifier.

From 2014, it has been the home ground for NorthEast United FC in the newly formed Indian Super League and for which it underwent major renovations. The stadium has been selected as one of the provisional venues for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017. Further upgrade plans are expected to be put in place like introduction of bucket seats, refurbished media and broadcast box etc.

The stadium was the main venue of 2016 South Asian Games, which was held in both Guwahati and Shillong from 5 to 16 February 2016.

The stadium is used by Aizawl FC of Mizoram as their home ground for AFC group stage matches.

Major Football Matches

As well as local matches, the stadium has also hosted major national and international matches.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/destination/stadiums/stadium=5025718/index.html
  2. ↑ The official site of Hero Indian Super League | Matchcentre
  3. ↑ "FIFA team visits Sarusajai stadium". Assam Tribune. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
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