Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

Field Hockey stadium, New Delhi, India

Not to be confused with Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Lucknow.

Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

National Stadium

The stadium on a matchday in 2010

Full name| Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Former names| Irwin Amphitheatre
National Stadium
Location| New Delhi, India
Coordinates| 28°36′45″N 77°14′14″E﻿ / ﻿28.61250°N 77.23722°E﻿ / 28.61250; 77.23722
Owner| Sports Authority of India
Operator| Sports Authority of India
Capacity| 16,200 after most recent renovation works[1]
Construction
Opened| 1933
Rebuilt| 2010
Tenants
India men's national field hockey team
Delhi Wave Riders (2013-present)
Delhi Wizards (2011)

The  Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, commonly known by its former name National Stadium, is a field hockey stadium in New Delhi, India. The stadium is named after former Indian field hockey player, Dhyan Chand.[2] It served as the venue for the 1st Asian Games in 1951.[3]

## History

[edit]

Indian athletes at the first Asiad

The stadium was built in 1933 as a gift for Delhi from the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. It was originally a multipurpose stadium named the Irwin Amphitheatre. It was designed by Anthony S. DeMillo and opened by Lord Willingdon. As per the original plans of architect of New Delhi Edwin Lutyens, there was to be a garden at the site, to provide a clear view of the historic Purana Quila (Old Fort) in the backdrop, as it lay perpendicular to the axis beginning from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House) through Rajpath and ending at the India Gate. His plans were however overruled. It was renamed National Stadium before the 1951 Asian Games, Dhyan Chand's name was added in 2002.[3][4]

## Major renovations

[edit]

The Dhyan Chand Stadium was the host venue for the 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup.[5] It was also the field hockey venue of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The stadium underwent a major reconstruction project before the Hockey World Cup 2010.[citation needed]

On 24 January 2010 it became the first venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be unveiled.[6] The stadium was revamped at a cost of Rs 262 crore, 50 crore more than originally budgeted.[7] The stands, which were earthen embankments, were demolished and a new rectangular seating bowl was constructed in its place.

From 8–10 December 2017 it hosted the fourth edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta, the Urdu festival of India by Rekhta Foundation led by Rajiv Saraf.[citation needed]

## Stadium features

[edit]

The stadium is spread over 17,500 square metres in the 37-acre (150,000 m2) complex. It has three synthetic pitches — two conform to international standards and a third is for practice. It is located adjacent to the Indian Coast Guard Headquarters.[citation needed]

Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

A new polygrass turf was laid on all pitches equipped with new sprinkler systems. The main field has a capacity to seat about 16,200 spectators. The second pitch outside the main arena has 900 permanent seats and with a provision of 1,600 temporary seats. The two competitive pitches are flood-lit with foldable floodlight towers (hinged mast lights) which will provide 2,200 lux illumination during the competition. This will enable high definition TV transmission.

Both the pitches are equipped with facilities for the players like change rooms, relaxation lounges and a VVIP lounge.

The stadium is air-conditioned and fitted with lifts. There are barrier free provisions for athletes and spectators who are physically challenged. The stadium will get its power supply from two grids with a backup based on generator sets and battery uninterrupted power supply.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ http://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/index1.asp?ls_id=512 [dead link]
2. ^ Sharma, Ravi (18 July 2023). "Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium: The Pride of Delhi, India - Stadiums World". Retrieved 4 September 2023.
3. ^ a b "Imperial Impressions". Hindustan Times. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
4. ^ "Even Bradman was impressed with Dhyan Chand". The Times of India. 30 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011.
5. ^ "India to host 2010 men's hockey World Cup". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 22 March 2007.
6. ^ "The Times Of India".[dead link]
7. ^ "The Con Games : Cover Story - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2012.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

* Men’s Hockey World Cup 2010 schedule
* 2010 Commonwealth Hockey Stadium

* v
* t
* e

Asian Games stadiums

Summer|

* New Delhi 1951
* Manila 1954
* Tokyo 1958
* Jakarta 1962
* Bangkok 1966
* Bangkok 1970
* Tehran 1974
* Bangkok 1978
* New Delhi 1982
* Seoul 1986
* Beijing 1990
* Hiroshima 1994
* Bangkok 1998
* Busan 2002
* Doha 2006
* Guangzhou 2010
* Incheon 2014
* Jakarta–Palembang 2018
* Hangzhou 2022
* Nagoya 2026
* Doha 2030
* Riyadh 2034

Winter|

* Sapporo 1986
* Sapporo 1990
* Harbin 1996
* Gangwon 1999
* Aomori 2003
* Changchun 2007
* Astana–Almaty 2011
* Sapporo-Obihiro 2017
* Harbin 2025

* v
* t
* e

Hockey India League

Seasons|

* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017

Participating teams|

* Delhi Waveriders
* Kalinga Lancers
* Dabang Mumbai
* Punjab Warriors
* Uttar Pradesh Wizards
* Ranchi Rays

Defunct teams|

* Ranchi Rhinos
* Mumbai Magicians

Auctions|

* 2013
* 2014

Rosters|

* 2013
* 2014

Current venues|

* PCMC Hockey Stadium, Pune
* Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Lucknow
* Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi
* International Hockey Stadium, Mohali
* Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
* Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai
* Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Ranchi

Former venues|

* Surjeet Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar

* v
* t
* e

Venues of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (Delhi)

Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex|

* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
* Auditorium
* Lawn Bowls Stadium

Indira Gandhi Sports Complex|

* Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
* Cycling Velodrome
* Wrestling Stadium

Other|

* Athletes Village
* CRPF Shooting Range
* Delhi University Stadium
* Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range
* Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Stadium
* Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
* R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex
* Siri Fort Sports Complex
* Talkatora Indoor Stadium
* Thyagaraj Sports Complex
* Yamuna Sports Complex
* Noida–Greater Noida Expressway

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template