Noida stadium to be developed to host international cricket by 2016

The Greater Noida authority has decided to increase the seating capacity of its cricket stadium so that it can host international tournaments by 2016-end.

The Greater Noida authority has decided to increase the seating capacity of its cricket stadium so that it can host international tournaments by 2016-end.

The stadium is spread over an area of 39 acres and is located next to Jaypee Resort. The ground is already hosting local cricket matches. (HT photo)

The stadium is spread over an area of 39 acres and is located next to Jaypee Resort. The ground is already hosting local cricket matches. The construction work of the stadium was completed in January.

“We have been encouraged after Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden and Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajiv Shukla recently appreciated the facilities available at the stadium,” said Deepak Aggarwal, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Noida authority.

“We are giving finishing touches to many indoor facilities like tennis and basketball courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a new pavilion. We hope that by the end of next year, the stadium will be ready to host any national or international cricket tournament,” he said.

According to the authority, Rajiv Shukla, who is also a top official of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), has assured help in hosting national and international cricket events at the stadium.

Shukla and Hayden visited the stadium three days ago during a training camp, which culminated on Wednesday.

“During an interaction, Hayden even appreciated the infrastructure of Greater Noida. He said wide roads, green areas and the expressway in Greater Noida make it a wonderful place to host international matches,” Aggarwal said.

“We are in the process of finalising the design of the spectators’ arena. We aim to provide seating arrangement for 15,000 to 20,000 spectators,” Aggarwal said.

Apart from this, another stadium built by a realtor with a capacity of 40,000 spectators is already functional in Greater Noida along the Yamuna Expressway.

“In the times to come, Greater Noida will be ready to host international cricket tournaments. The city has already hosted various international events like the Formula One race,” Aggarwal said.