&w=3840&q=100)
Ambedkar Stadium set to reopen after major renovation and upgrades
After years of neglect, the iconic Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi is ready to reclaim its glory as a hub for football and community events. Once the pride of the capital's football scene, the stadium has undergone significant renovation and is now nearly ready to reopen. According to a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official, the last major facelift was undertaken before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, leaving much-needed repairs pending for over a decade.
The stadium had fallen into disrepair, with visible damage to several structures. Spectator stands facing Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg were deteriorating, exposing iron rods, while railings and staircase windows had suffered damage over time. However, extensive work has now addressed these issues. The renovation, which cost around ₹6 crore, includes structural repairs and new facilities aimed at improving the overall experience for both players and spectators.
Ambedkar Stadium gets a new look to it
Notable upgrades include gender-specific changing rooms, restrooms on multiple levels, a revamped façade with aluminium louvres, a modern air-conditioned media centre, and a VIP lounge. A cafeteria is also being constructed. Gates 4 and 5 have been redesigned, and the stadium's electrical system has been modernized.
The stadium is expected to be fully operational by June 15, with 95% of the renovation work already complete. The MCD has also enhanced the drainage system to prevent waterlogging and revitalized the pitch by leveling the ground and planting fresh grass.
Inaugurated in 1960 as Delhi Gate Stadium and later renamed after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the 20,000-seat arena has hosted numerous prestigious events, including matches from the 1982 Asian Games and the Nehru Cup. It was here in 2007 that India famously beat Syria 1-0 to lift the Nehru Cup. The stadium also continues to host the Subroto Cup, a key national-level junior football tournament.
Besides football, Ambedkar Stadium serves as a venue for civic events such as Bal Diwas and houses some municipal offices, which operate independently of the sports facilities. With a rich history of legendary players, including Sunil Chhetri and Nigeria's Emeka Ezeugo, the stadium is poised to become a sporting landmark once again.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Siddharth Sunil's journey: From Asian Games miss to Asian champ
Siddharth Sunil CHENNAI: Following his decision to step away from rowing in 2018 after missing out on selection for the Asian Games, Tamil Nadu's Siddharth Sunil has made an impressive return. Siddharth decided to pursue the sport once again in 2023 and, fuelled by his unwavering passion, recently won gold in men's individual 2000m (30-39 age category) at the Asian Indoor Championships in Thailand. Siddharth clocked 6:25.10 to become the Asian champion. 'I picked up the sport again while doing my Masters in applied strength and conditioning in the UK. The country is one of the best for rowing and the standard is very high compared to India. When I returned to India, I carried a lot of things that I learnt there and it helped me,' Siddharth told TOI . 'When I decided to row again, my objective was not to make a comeback to the national team; rather, it was purely for the love of the sport. I found that my timings were good, and I was performing better than when I was doing it seriously.' While athletes usually have to hire a strength and conditioning coach to look after them, Siddharth does not need one to go elsewhere. Being a strength and conditioning coach himself, Siddharth, the rower, has transformed into a better version. He trains athletes from various disciplines, including multiple time Asian Games medallist in squash, Harinder Pal Sandhu. 'It is a game changer for me (Siddharth). I wish I had this when I was younger and training seriously. I feel it would have made all the difference. I am able to optimise my own training programme now, and I am still learning.' Siddharth's focus for now is to get better in Indoors and will look to have a go at the outdoors next season provided everything falls into place. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers: Uzbekistan seals maiden berth with goalless draw against UAE
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan has tried and failed to qualify seven times since its independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A genuine force in Asia since its 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage. Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old centre back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal. 'We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people,' Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin. 'This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result ... ' Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January. 'Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us,' he said. 'This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task.' Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 'In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism,' Mirziyoyev said.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Munich World Cup: Paris medallist Swapnil Kusale adds 10m air rifle to his repertoire; says need to strengthen his standing position
**EDS, YEARENDERS 2024: PARIS OLYMPICS** Chateauroux: Bronze medallist India's Swapnil Kusale poses during the presentation ceremony of the men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions shooting event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Chateauroux, France. (PTI Photo) ( New Delhi: India's ace shooter Swapnil Kusale is set to return to competitive action for the first time since his historic bronze medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics. He will take part in the forthcoming ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in Munich, Germany, scheduled for the first week of June. Kusale did not participate in the Argentina and Peru legs of the World Cups due to not-so-impressive scores at the national selection trials. However, the 29-year-old's name has been included in India's 23-member contingent for the Munich WC, where the Kolhapur marksman will compete in his pet 50m rifle three positions event. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I am starting my international season with Munich. The preparations are good. I have worked on certain aspects of my technique, especially shooting during the standing position. I have also fixed some issues with my rifle and brought a new gear set. I didn't travel to the last two legs of the WCs because I wanted to shoot some really good scores before getting picked in the Indian team,' Kusale told TOI on Thursday. Kusale, who made history as the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P at the Paris Games, said he wants yo participate in the 10m air rifle category as well to enhance his future medal prospects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sudoku Kingdom - Free Sudoku Puzzles Online Undo He has commenced training under the guidance of coach Deepali Deshpande, a former shooter and Asian Games medallist. 'I used to compete in the 10m air rifle during my junior days. But then I stopped to focus on the 50m rifle 3P category. With an aim to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, which I eventually did, the effort was to train for only one event. But now I believe the time has come to start competing in both events (50m rifle 3P and 10m air rifle) simultaneously. My coach (Deepali) has already started imparting coaching to me. Competing in the 10m air rifle event will also help strengthen my standing position, which I have realised I need to work on. I am good at prone and kneeling. The air rifle will help me improve my standing aspect,' he said. The Arjuna awardee indicated his intention to professionally compete in the 10m air rifle at the forthcoming 'Shooting League of India' (SLI), scheduled from Nov 20-Dec 2 here. 'After returning from the Munich WC, I'll plan out my training schedule with the coach. The effort will be to start competing in both from the shooting league. It's a busy calendar year for us, leading up to the Asian Games in 2026. I want to win as many medals for India as possible… so adding the 10m air rifle to my repertoire seems a logical decision. It's very precise and the equation is totally different when compared to 50m rifle 3P,' said Kusale, who works as an OSD in the Maharashtra govt's sports department. Shooting league logo launched The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday officially launched the logo for the inaugural edition of the shooting league at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range here. The unveiling saw Paris Olympics medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, and a host of other Indian shooters, including Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, Sandeep Singh, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Ashi Chouksey, Chain Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema, Palak, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Akhil Sheoran and Rahi Sarnobat. All these shooters are part of the Indian contingent for the Munich WC.
