EMS Stadium

The EMS Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kozhikode (Calicut), India which is currently used mostly for football matches.[1]

EMS Stadium
EMS Stadium
LocationRajaji road, Kozhikode, Kerala
Establishment1977 (1977)
Capacity50,000
OwnerKozhikode Corporation
ArchitectRK Remesh
OperatorKerala Cricket Association
Kerala Football Association
TenantsPresent
India national football team (1987–present)
Kerala football team (1960–present)
Kozhikode Quartz (2012–present)
Gokulam Kerala (2017–present)

Past
Viva Kerala (2007-2011)

SBT FC (2004-2005)
End names
Indore Stadium End
Road End
As of 14 July 2014
Source: cricinfo

The stadium is currently the home of I league side Gokulam Kerala FC and holds more than 80,000 and was built in 1977. It is equipped with floodlights for conducting both football and cricket matches. The stadium is named after the Communist leader E. M. S. Namboodiripad who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala.

Renovations

The stadium was reconstructed and reopened in February 2005 by hosting the home matches of SBT in the national football league.

The stadium has installed improved floodlight. It is renovated as international stadium for football and cricket. The stadium may also be leased to Kerala Cricket Association while Kerala Football Association would like the stadium in their possession.

The construction of the grand stand will raise stadium to international standards. It will have state-of-the-art facilities, including a VIP lounge with seating capacity for 200, a VIP lounge, a dressing room for players and a media centre. [2]

Football

It was recognised as the best football pitch in India by the experts and the media. It was the home ground of Viva Kerala FC in the I-league, though now Quartz is the team from Kozhikode trying to get into I League. It was also the home ground of Gokulam Kerala FC In the I-league. This stadium is famous for the football crazy fans of Kozhikode. Famous scissors cup finals, super cup finals, Santhosh Trophy, Sait Nagjee Football Tournament is held here. The stadium is the home ground for Gokulam Kerala team in I-League since 2017. Gokulam Kerala had won their first I-League home match against East Bengal FC for 2–1 and Shillong Lajong FC for 3-2.

Major football matches hosted

1980 AFC Women's Asian Cup Football which the Indian team won silver was held here.1980 AFC Women's Championship

1987 Nehru Cup

The stadium hosted the 1987 Nehru Cup, which was won by the Soviet Union

22 January 1987 International friendlyIndia 1−1 China PRKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 1,00,000
28 January 1987 International friendlyIndia 0−2 BulgariaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 75,000
1 February 1987 International friendlyIndia 1−1 DenmarkKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 74,000
21 January 1987 International friendlyGermany 1−1 Soviet UnionKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 85,000
23 January 1987 International friendlyDenmark 0−1 BulgariaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 35,000
24 January 1987 International friendlySyria 0−3 Soviet UnionKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
25 January 1987 International friendlyDenmark 2−0 China PRKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 35,000
26 January 1987 International friendlyNigeria 1−0 SyriaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
27 January 1987 International friendlyGermany 1−0 NigeriaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 40,000
29 January 1987 International friendly Bulgaria4−0 China PRKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
30 January 1987 International friendlyGermany 1−2 SyriaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 48,000
31 January 1987 International friendlyNigeria 0−3 Soviet UnionKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 55,000
2 February 1987 International friendlyGermany 1−3 BulgariaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 78,000
3 February 1987 International friendlySoviet Union 3−0 DenmarkKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 63,000
5 February 1987 International friendlySoviet Union 2−0 BulgariaKozhikode
Stadium: EMS Stadium
Attendance: 75,000

Sait Nagjee Football Tournament

2016 Sait Nagjee Trophy Teams

TeamLocationConfederation
FC Dnipro ReservesUkraineUEFA
1860 München IIMunichUEFA
Argentina U23ArgentinaCONMEBOL
Atlético Paranaense ReservesCuritibaCONMEBOL
Volyn LutskUkraineUEFA
Rapid BucureștiBucharestUEFA
Shamrock RoversDublinUEFA
Watford ReservesWatfordUEFA

National Games

The stadium hosted football matches for the 35th National Games.[3]

Other uses

Cricket

It also hosted the veterans of India and Pakistan cricket match in which legends like Ijaz Ahmed, Syed Kirmani and others played. In 1994, touring West Indies had taken Mumbai in a three-day encounter. West Indies were dismissed for 176 and Bombay ended the day at 53/2. The match, however, had to be called off after the opening day owing to law and order problems in the wake of a bandh.

Other Event

It also hosted many cultural events held at Kozhikode like malabar mahotsavam. It also hosted the inaugural performance of world tour of A. R. Rahman, the Academy Award–winning musician.

Accessibility

The Kozhikode EMS Stadium is located in the heart of the city. It lies beside the Pavamani Road between Rajaji road and New Bus stand, a common stretch among many city bus routes. The Stadium Mavoor Road from the Western side allows access from Mananchira and Arayadathupalam, although there is no public transport along this route. The stadium is situated at 2.5 km from the Kozhikode railway station and railway stations respectively. The stadium is 26.km from Calicut International Airport,

References
  1. "football in Calicut".
  2. "EMS Stadium Gets Ready for Some Cricketing Action".
  3. "Kerala to host 35th National Games from January 31". 27 June 2014 – via www.thehindu.com.

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