Ahead of the much-awaited pink-ball Test between India and England in Ahmedabad, the cricket world witnessed a big sruprise as the Motera's Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium was renamed as the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the venue which will host the 3rd and the 4th Test between India and England.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also the guest of honour on the occasion, confirmed the news and said that since PM Modi's days as the Gujarat Chief Minister, it was his vision to get the world's largest cricket stadium built in Ahmedabad.
"As CM, he used to say Gujaratis must also progress in 2 fields - sports and armed forces. He took charge of GCA on my request and promoted sports here. His vision was that world's largest cricket stadium be built here. This 1,32,000-seater stadium will be known as Narendra Modi Stadium," Shah said.
He also added that apart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera sports complex will also be built in Nanpura to host international events which will make Ahmedabad the 'sports city' of the country.
"Coupled with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave & Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built in Naranpura. These 3 will be equipped to host any international sports event. Ahmedabad to be known as the 'sports city' of India," he added.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, which is the world's largest cricket stadium with a capacity of 1,10,000 spectators, will host the first international match since the stadium was revamped.
Ahead of the first day's play, Ram Nath Kovind performed bhumi pujan of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad's Motera. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel were also present on the occasion.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier lauded the facilities at the Narendra Modi Stadium saying it wasn't just the largest cricket stadium in the world but also one with all the modern facilities.
"Not just for cricket but it's a proud moment for India. Besides being the largest cricket stadium, it's also one of the most modern stadiums in the world. Ahmedabad is turning out to be the 'sports city' of the country: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju in Motera, Gujarat," Rijiju said.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly also lauded the facilities and the infrastructure of the Narendra Modi Stadium.
"Will miss being at the stadium today ..what an effort it must have been to create this ..pink test was our dream and it's going be the 2nd one in india.hope to see full stands like last time. Under the leadership of Honble Prime minister @narendramodi
Amit Shah @AmitShah," Ganguly wrote in a tweet.