Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Encyclopedia
Dhyan Chand National Stadium commonly known by its former name, National Stadium is a field hockey
stadium at New Delhi
, India
. It originally held 25,000 people. It is named after former Indian field hockey
player, Dhyan Chand
. It served as the venue for the 1st Asian Games
in 1951.
, it was originally multipurpose stadium and 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 garden at the site, to provided 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 over ruled. It was renamed National Stadium before the 1951 Asian Games, Dhyan Chand's name was added in 2002.
. It was also the hockey venue of the 2010 Commonwealth Games
. The stadium underwent a major reconstruction project before the Hockey World Cup 2010.
On 24 January 2010 it became the first venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be unveiled
. The stadium was revamped at a cost of Rs 262 crore, 50 crore more than originally budgeted. The stands, which were earthen embankments, were demolished and a new rectangular seating bowl was constructed in its place.
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.
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
stadium at New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It originally held 25,000 people. It is named after former Indian field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
player, Dhyan Chand
Dhyan Chand
Dhyan Chand ; born August 29, 1905 in Allahabad, United Provinces, British India. – Died:December 3, 1979), was an Indian field hockey player, regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time...
. It served as the venue for the 1st Asian Games
1951 Asian Games
The 1951 Asian Games, officially known as the First Asian Games, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Delhi, India from 4 to 11 March 1951. The Games received names like First Asiad and 1951 Asiad by the president of the organising committee Anthony de Mello...
in 1951.
History
The stadium was built in 1933 as a gift for Delhi from the Maharaja of BhavnagarKrishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh
Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji was an Indian monarch and politician who ruled as the last Maharaja of Bhavnagar State from 1919 to 1948 and also served as the first Indian Governor of Madras from 1948 to 1952.-Early life:...
, it was originally multipurpose stadium and named the Irwin Amphitheatre. It was designed by Anthony S. DeMillo and opened by Lord Willingdon
Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon
Major Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon was a British Liberal politician and administrator who served as Governor General of Canada, the 13th since Canadian Confederation, and as Viceroy and Governor-General of India, the country's 22nd.Freeman-Thomas was born in England and...
. As per the original plans of architect of New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
there was to be garden at the site, to provided a clear view of the historic Purana Quila (Old Fort
Old Fort, Delhi
Purana Qila , is the inner citadel of the city of Dina-panah, founded by the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun in 1533 and completed five years later...
) in the backdrop, as it lay perpendicular to the axis beginning from Rashtrapati Bhavan
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina hill in New Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India...
(President's House) through Rajpath
Rajpath
Rajpath is the ceremonial boulevard for the Republic of India. It runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium, Delhi. The New Delhi avenue is lined on both sides by lawns with rows of trees and ponds...
and ending at the India Gate
India Gate
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931...
, his plans were however over ruled. It was renamed National Stadium before the 1951 Asian Games, Dhyan Chand's name was added in 2002.
Major renovations
The Dhyan Chand Stadium was the host venue for the 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup2010 Men's Hockey World Cup
The 2010 Hockey World Cup was the twelfth installment of the Men's Hockey World Cup. On November 14, 2007, the International Hockey Federation announced that the championship would be held in India, taking place over two weeks from February 28 to March 13, 2010 at New Delhi's Dhyan Chand National...
. It was also the hockey venue of the 2010 Commonwealth Games
2010 Commonwealth Games
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games till date...
. The stadium underwent a major reconstruction project before the Hockey World Cup 2010.
On 24 January 2010 it became the first venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be unveiled
2010 Commonwealth Games
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games till date...
. The stadium was revamped at a cost of Rs 262 crore, 50 crore more than originally budgeted. The stands, which were earthen embankments, were demolished and a new rectangular seating bowl was constructed in its place.
Stadium features
The stadium is spread over 17,500 square metres in the 37 acres (149,733.8 m²) complex. It has three synthetic pitches — two conform to international standards and a third is for practice.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.