Upgraded MA Stadium opens

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 15

Stating that the government had created an asset by constructing an international cricket stadium in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt-Governor Girish Chandra Murmu today inaugurated the upgraded Maulana Azad (MA) Stadium amid loud cheers from crowd.

The L-G said, “We definitely want that not only national but international matches are played at this upgraded stadium. There will be requirement of more development in and around the upgraded stadium and the administration will do whatever is required to ensure proper utilisation of the cricketing venue.”

He said the stadium would encourage local youth to take up sports and games. “With the kind of international stadium now available to the local youth, I am sure they will get inspiration to play well in future,” he said.

Earlier, a large crowd started entering the upgraded stadium since early morning to witness the inaugural function. Thousands of students from educational institutes accompanied by their teachers were seen in the stands inside the stadium premises.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the J&K UT government as security personnel were deployed in and around the stadium like Jewel Chowk, GGM Science College, Canal Road, etc.

The upgraded MA stadium is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 42.17 crore as per norms of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The project was undertaken under the Prime Minister’s Development Package and was executed by the National Projects Construction Corporation. The sitting capacity of the stadium is around 20,000.