AusLeisure

US President Donald Trump is to attend an inauguration event for the world’s largest cricket venue, the 110,000 capacity Motera Stadium in the city of Ahmedabad, during his upcoming trip to India.

With President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit India on 24th and 25th February, the White House has confirmed the trip will include taking in the new stadium.

The President and First Lady are scheduled to travel to the Indian capital of New Delhi and Ahmedabad, in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat.

The trip is designed to further strengthen the United States-India strategic partnership, with the Motera Stadium event reportedly set to echo the ‘Howdy Modi’ public reception staged for the Indian Prime Minister in Houston during his visit to the USA in September.

President Trump participated in that event, which was attended by around 50,000 people, mostly Indian-Americans.

Under construction since January 2017, the Populous-designed venue is being built in collaboration with India’s top contractor, Larsen & Toubro and will be home to the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Indian newspaper The Hindu said President Trump’s visit will begin with the stadium ceremony, which will reportedly include a series of cultural pieces curated by “high-profile agencies and artistes”.

The state government of Gujarat is said to have directed that the 110,000-seat stadium bowl be filled, with an additional 15,000 people able to sit on the field.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, President Trump said Prime Minister Modi had told him at the weekend that millions of people will welcome him on the journey from the airport to the Stadium, comparing that to the 40,000-50,000 crowd that he claimed attended a rally in New Hampshire on Monday.

Once complete, Motera Stadium is set to replace the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has a seating capacity of 95,000, as the world’s biggest cricket venue. Eden Gardens in Kolkata is currently India’s largest cricket ground with a capacity of 62,000.

The new venue will have 76 corporate boxes, four-team dressing rooms and associated facilities, a state-of-the-art clubhouse and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Image: The new Motera Stadium, courtesy of the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Related Articles

22nd December 2019 - ICC continues partnership with UNICEF for Women’s T20 World Cup 2020

15th November 2019 - Pakistan to again host Test cricket after 10 year gap

10th September 2019 - New report highlights the impact of climate change on cricket

8th January 2019 - Development advances on world’s largest cricket stadium

11th December 2018 - Polytan transforms Kalinga Stadium India for 2018 Mens Hockey World Cup

7th November 2018 - Bank takes control of Indian cricket stadium

8th June 2018 - Australian scandal leads ICC Cricket Committee to recommend stronger sanctions for ball-tampering

22nd December 2017 - Indian Government looks to privatise major stadia

7th July 2017 - Populous explains how technology will transform future stadium experiences

14th December 2016 - World’s biggest cricket stadium to be built in Western India

10th March 2016 - Asian Cricket Council reveals plans for Indian-based Centre of Excellence

4th February 2013 - Himalayan stadium reaches new heights

17th January 2013 - New Indian cricket stadium makes proud debut

26th September 2012 - Populous to design India’s most prestigious convention centre

9th August 2011 - Indian Government Audit report slams ‘flawed’ Delhi Games

16th September 2008 - India to build World’s largest cricket stadium

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.