Ahmedabad: The Sardar Patel stadium in Motera Ahmedabad was renamed as the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
The stadium, popularly known as the Motera Stadium, was recently re-opened after extensive renovation work which increased seating capacity to a record 1,10,000, hosts its first Test match on Wednesday with India taking on England in a day-night match.
The stadium's new name was announced in an inauguration ceremony that was attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah among others.
"Coupled with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave & Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built in Naranpura. These three will be equipped to host any international sports event. Ahmedabad to be known as the 'sports city' of India," said Shah at the inauguration ceremony.
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also posted a message on his Twitter handle, “and every office bearer and member of GCA ..must be proud of creating this infrastructure for every cricketer of Gujarat and India...Good wishes for today ..First international game after it was built ..”
(With inputs from IANS)
