Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Stadium in Assam, India

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Sarusajai Stadium

Interior of the stadium in 2017

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Location in Guwahati

Show map of Guwahati

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Location in Assam

Show map of Assam

Location| Sarusajai, Guwahati, Assam
Coordinates| 26°06′56″N 91°45′37″E﻿ / ﻿26.11556°N 91.76028°E﻿ / 26.11556; 91.76028
Owner| Government of Assam
Operator| Sports Authority of Assam
Capacity| 21,600[1]
Record attendance| 32,844 (20 October 2016, Chennaiyin FC vs Northeast United FC)[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)
Assam State Premier League (proposed)

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, also known as Sarusajai Stadium,[1] is a multi-purpose stadium in Lokhra locality, Guwahati, Assam, India. Seating 21,600 people,[1] it is the home ground of NorthEast United FC and is used for athletic events. The stadium was one of the venues for the 2007 National Games, the 2016 South Asian Games, and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

## History

[edit]

This one-tier stadium was constructed in 2007 to host the 33rd National Games of India with a mostly standing capacity for 35,000 people. Only the main stand had a limited number of seats installed.

The stadium was named to tribute the late Indira Gandhi who was the third 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 Guwahati-based Indian Super League side, and for which it underwent major renovations. The stadium recorded the highest attendance for a football game in Assam when 32,844 spectators came to see the ISL match between NorthEast United and visitors Chennaiyin on 20 October 2016.

It was also used by I-League champions Aizawl FC (2016–17) of Mizoram and Minerva Punjab FC (2017–18) of Punjab as their home ground for AFC group stage matches.

The stadium was the main venue of the 2016 South Asian Games, which was held in both Guwahati and Shillong from 5 to 16 February 2016.[3]

It was one of the venues for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in India. Individual seats were installed in 2017, during the preparation for the event, reducing capacity to below 25,000.

The stadium hosted the Assam Global Investors' Summit on 3 and 4 February 2018 and the 65th Filmfare Awards on 15 February 2020.[4][5]

The stadium was selected as one of the provisional venues for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup that was to be held in India in 2020 where it was expected host the opening.[6] The tournament later got postponed due to COVID-19 and the stadium was dropped from the list of venues.

In March 2020, the Government of Assam constructed isolation wards during the COVID-19 pandemic in India in the premises.[7]

## Major Football Matches

[edit]

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

India national football team matches

India v  Malaysia 13 November 2011 International friendly|  India | 1 - 1|  Malaysia | Guwahati

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| Nabi 88' | Report | Safiq 42' | Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Attendance: 20,092

India v  Nepal 12 March 2015 World Cup Qualifier|  India | 2 - 0|  Nepal | Guwahati

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19:00 UTC+5:30 | Chhetri 53', 71' | Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC) |  | Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Attendance: 11,209
Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan)

India v  Laos 7 June 2016 Asian Cup qual. – PO|  India | 6–1|  Laos | Guwahati

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19:00 UTC+5:30 | Lalpekhlua 43', 74'
Passi 45+1'
Jhingan 48'
Rafique 83'
Cardozo 87' | Report
Goal.com | Sihavong 16' | Attendance: 2,721
Referee: Jansen Foo (Singapore)

India v  Oman 5 September 2019 (2019-09-05) 2022 AFC WC Q|  India | 1–2|  Oman | Guwahati

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19:30 IST | Chhetri 24' | FIFA | Al-Alawi 82', 90' | Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Attendance: 22,798
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifar (Iran)

India v  Afghanistan 26 March 2024 (2024-03-26) 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ|  India | v|  Afghanistan | Guwahati

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\--:-- UTC+5:30 |  |  |  | Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

* * *

2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup matches.

New Caledonia v  France 8 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  New Caledonia | 1–7|  France | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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17:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Wadenges 90'

| Report |

* Iwa 5' (o.g.)
* Gouiri  19', 33'
* Gomes 30'
* Caqueret 40'
* Wanesse  43' (o.g.)
* Isidor 90+1'

| Attendance: 12,640
Referee: Hamada Nampiandraza (Madagascar)

Honduras v  Japan 8 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  Honduras | 1–6|  Japan | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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20:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Palacios 36'

| Report |

* Nakamura 22', 30', 43'
* Kubo 45'
* Miyashiro 51'
* Suzuki 90'

| Attendance: 13,285
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

France v  Japan 11 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  France | 2–1|  Japan | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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17:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Gouiri  13', 71'

| Report |

* Miyashiro 73' (pen.)

| Attendance: 9,575
Referee: Gery Vargas (Bolivia)

Honduras v  New Caledonia 11 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  Honduras | 5–0|  New Caledonia | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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20:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Mejía 25', 42'
* Canales 27'
* Palacios 51', 88'

| Report |  | Attendance: 11,002
Referee: Mehdi Abid Charef (Algeria)

France v  Honduras 14 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  France | 5–1|  Honduras | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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17:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Isidor 14'
* Flips 23', 64'
* Gouiri 86'
* Adli 90+6'

| Report |

* Mejía 10'

| Attendance: 12,831
Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Mexico v  Chile 14 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage|  Mexico | 0–0|  Chile | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

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20:00 UTC+5:30 |  | Report |  | Attendance: 15,794
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

## Major events

[edit]

### Bihu Dance Performance

[edit]

On a 14 April 2023, on the occasion of Bohag Bihu, over 11,000 dancers and musicians gathered at the stadium to perform the traditional Assamese Bihu dance, setting two world records. This performance achieved the world record for the largest Bihu dance performance and the largest performance by folk musicians.[8] The event lasted for 15 minutes and showcased the talents of more than 7,000 dancers and over 3,000 dhol drummers and other musicians.[9][10]

The event was attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Himanta Biswa Sarma also received a Geographical Indication registration certificate for the Gamosa, the traditional Assamese scarf, which was given in December 2022.[11][12]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bidding Nation India. All India Football Federation. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
2. ^ The official site of Hero Indian Super League | Matchcentre
3. ^ Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy (12 December 2015). "India to host South Asian Games (SAG) in Guwahati and Shillong". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
4. ^ Singh, Bikash (27 September 2018). "Advantage Assam: Global Investors' Summit has attracted Rs. 8,020.21 crore till now says Chandra Mohan Patwary". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
5. ^ "Filmfare Awards 2020 All Set To Be Hosted In Guwahati". filmfare.com. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
6. ^ Lokapally, Vijay. "FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Guwahati to host opener, final in Mumbai". Sportstar. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
7. ^ "Assam government transforms Sarusajai Stadium into coronavirus isolation facility". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
8. ^ "Assam shatters world records with over 11,000 performers in Bihu Dance extravaganza | TOI Original - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
9. ^ "Bihu dance sets world record, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shares another video of the performance". Hindustan Times. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
10. ^ Time, Pratidin. "Assam Enters Guinness Book Of World Records With Largest Bihu Performance". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
11. ^ "Bihu performance with over 11,300 dancers, drummers enters Guinness World Records". India Today. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
12. ^ "PM Modi Attends Mega Bihu Programme At Sarusajai Stadium In Guwahati [WATCH]". TimesNow. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Stadium information Archived 24 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
* Stadium history
* Groundhopping page

* v
* t
* e

India national football team

General|

* All India Football Federation
* History
* Kits
* Managers

Venues|

* Salt Lake Stadium
* J. N. Stadium (Delhi)
* J. N. Stadium (Kochi)
* J. N. Stadium (Chennai)
* Ambedkar Stadium
* Sree Kanteerava Stadium
* Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
* Fatorda Stadium
* Trivandrum International Stadium
* Mumbai Football Arena
* EKA Arena

Records and stats|

* Competitive record
* Olympics record
* Asian Games record
* FIFA World Cup qualification record
* AFC Asian Cup record
* Player records
* Head-to-head record
* Player list
* Goals by Sunil Chhetri
* Hat-tricks
* men
* women

Players|

* Players
* Born outside India
* Captains

Results|

| Men's|

* Official
* 1938–59
* 1960–69
* 1970–79
* 1980–89
* 1990–99
* 2000–09
* 2010–19
* 2020–present
* Unofficial
* 1924–47
* 1948–99
* 2000–present

|

Women's|

* Official
* 1980–1989
* 1990–1999
* 2000–2009
* 2010–2019
* 2020–present
* Unofficial

Notable matches|

* 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final
* 2012 Nehru Cup final
* SAFF Championship finals
* 2011
* 2013
* 2015
* 2018
* 2023

Other teams|

* Men's
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Women's
* W U-20
* W U-17
* Beach soccer
* Futsal
* Men
* Women

* v
* t
* e

Indian Super League stadiums

Current|

* Fatorda Stadium
* G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium
* Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Chennai)
* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)
* JRD Tata Sports Complex
* Kalinga Stadium
* Mumbai Football Arena
* Salt Lake Stadium
* Sree Kanteerava Stadium

Former|

* DY Patil Stadium
* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)

* v
* t
* e

NorthEast United FC

Guwahati, Assam

The Club|

* Club history
* Players
* Head coaches
* Current season

Stadiums|

* Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Development system|

* Reserves and Academy

Key personnel|

Owner
John Abraham
Head coach
Juan Pedro Benali

Indian Super League

Seasons (11)|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

Football stadiums in India

FIFA and AFC approved stadiums:|

* DY Patil Stadium
* EKA Arena
* EMS Stadium
* Fatorda Stadium
* Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
* J.N. Stadium, Chennai
* J.N. Stadium, Kochi
* J.N. Stadium, New Delhi
* Kalinga Stadium
* Mumbai Football Arena
* New Bangalore Football Stadium (†)
* Salt Lake Stadium
* Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex
* Sree Kanteerava Stadium
* Trivandrum International Stadium

Major national stadiums:|

* Ambedkar Stadium

Other major stadiums:|

* B.P.T. Ground
* Bakhshi Stadium
* Bangalore Football Stadium
* Barabati Stadium
* Barasat Stadium
* Bhaichung Stadium
* Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium
* Birsa Munda Football Stadium
* CAFVD Sports Stadium
* Calicut Medical College Stadium
* Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium
* Chhatrasal Stadium
* Chowgule Sports Centre
* Cooperage Ground
* Dadaji Kondadev Stadium
* Dr. Rajendra Prasad Football Stadium
* Duler Stadium
* East Bengal Ground
* Faizabad Sports Complex (†)
* Fr. Agnel Stadium
* G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium
* Gachibowli Athletic Stadium
* Gandhi Ground
* Golden Jubilee Stadium
* Guru Gobind Singh Stadium
* Guru Nanak Stadium
* Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium
* Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima
* Jadavpur Stadium
* J.N. Stadium, Coimbatore
* J.N. Stadium, Shillong
* Jaipal Singh Stadium
* Jawahar Municipal Stadium
* Jorethang Ground
* Jorhat Stadium
* JRD Tata Sports Complex
* Judges Field
* Kalyani Stadium
* Kanchenjunga Stadium
* KASA Stadium
* Khuman Lampak Main Stadium
* Kottappadi Football Stadium
* Lajwanti Stadium
* L.B.S. Stadium, Hyderabad
* L.B.S. Stadium, Kollam
* Lammual Stadium
* Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium
* Mahabir Stadium
* Maharaja College Stadium
* Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium
* Maulana Azad Stadium
* Mohammedan Sporting Ground
* Mohun Bagan Ground
* Mulna Stadium
* Naihati Stadium
* Netaji Stadium
* Nehru Stadium, Durgapur
* Nehru Stadium, Guwahati
* Nurul Amin Stadium
* Oil India Ground
* Paljor Stadium
* Patliputra Sports Complex
* Pune District Football Association Stadium
* Pune FC Training Ground
* Punjab Agricultural University Stadium
* Rabindra Sarobar Stadium
* Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium
* Rajendra Stadium
* Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl
* Ravishankar Shukla Stadium
* Sailen Manna Stadium
* SAI Stadium
* Satindra Mohan Dev Stadium
* Silli Stadium
* Sri Venkateswara University Ground
* SSB Ranidanga Stadium
* Sumant Moolgaokar Stadium
* Tau Devi Lal Stadium
* Thangmeiband Athletic Union Ground
* Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium
* Tilak Maidan
* TRC Turf Ground
* University Stadium
* VO Chidambaram Park Stadium
* Victory Playground
* Yashwant Stadium

Note: (†) denotes stadiums under construction.
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