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.
Sarusajai Stadium | |
 Interior of the stadium in 2017 | |
  Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Location in Guwahati  Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Location in Assam | |
| Location | Sarusajai, Guwahati, Assam |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 26°06′56″N 91°45′37″E / 26.11556°N 91.76028°E |
| 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) | |
History
editThis 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
editAs well as local matches, the stadium has also hosted major national and international matches.
India national football team matches
| 13 November 2011 International friendly | India  | 1 - 1 |  Malaysia | Guwahati |
Nabi  88' |
Report | Safiq 42' |
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Attendance: 20,092 |
| 12 March 2015 World Cup Qualifier | India | 2 - 0 |  Nepal | Guwahati |
| 19:00 UTC 5:30 | Chhetri 53', 71' |
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Attendance: 11,209 Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan) |
| 7 June 2016 Asian Cup qual. – PO | India | 6–1 |  Laos | Guwahati |
| 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) |
| 5 September 2019 2022 AFC WC Q | India | 1–2 |  Oman | Guwahati |
| 19:30 IST | Chhetri 24' |
FIFA | Al-Alawi 82', 90' |
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Attendance: 22,798 Referee: Mooud Bonyadifar (Iran) |
| 26 March 2024 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ | India | v |  Afghanistan | Guwahati |
| --:-- UTC 5:30 | Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium |
2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup matches.
| 8 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | New Caledonia  | 1–7 |  France | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 17:00 UTC 5:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 12,640 Referee: Hamada Nampiandraza (Madagascar) |
| 8 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | Honduras  | 1–6 |  Japan | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 20:00 UTC 5:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 13,285 Referee: Anthony Taylor (England) |
| 11 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | France | 2–1 | Japan | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 17:00 UTC 5:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 9,575 Referee: Gery Vargas (Bolivia) |
| 11 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | Honduras | 5–0 | New Caledonia | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 20:00 UTC 5:30 | Report | Attendance: 11,002 Referee: Mehdi Abid Charef (Algeria) |
| 14 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | France | 5–1 | Honduras | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 17:00 UTC 5:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 12,831 Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore) |
| 14 October 2017 U-17 World Cup – Group Stage | Mexico  | 0–0 |  Chile | Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |
| 20:00 UTC 5:30 | Report | Attendance: 15,794 Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) |
Major events
editBihu Dance Performance
editOn 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- ^ a b c AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bidding Nation India. All India Football Federation. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ The official site of Hero Indian Super League | Matchcentre
- ^ Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy (12 December 2015). "India to host South Asian Games (SAG) in Guwahati and Shillong". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Filmfare Awards 2020 All Set To Be Hosted In Guwahati". filmfare.com. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ Lokapally, Vijay. "FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Guwahati to host opener, final in Mumbai". Sportstar. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ "Assam government transforms Sarusajai Stadium into coronavirus isolation facility". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Bihu dance sets world record, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shares another video of the performance". Hindustan Times. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ Time, Pratidin. "Assam Enters Guinness Book Of World Records With Largest Bihu Performance". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Bihu performance with over 11,300 dancers, drummers enters Guinness World Records". India Today. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "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