Salt Lake Stadium which is also known as Yuva Bharati Krirangan or Stadium of Indian Youth is a multi purpose stadium, situated in Saltlake, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Capacity of Salt Lake Stadium
Salt Lake Stadium happens to be the largest in Indian sub continent and second largest non-auto racing stadium in the world. Presently the stadium is used for athletics and football matches. The total capacity of the stadium is around 120,000 and was built in the year 1984 in a three-tier configuration.
Location of Salt Lake Stadium
Salt Lake Stadium is mainly located to the east of Kolkata downturn, approximately 10 km, and is elliptical in shape. The roof is made of metal tube, concrete and aluminium. There is a control room and two electronic score boards. The lighting is consistently distributed to facilitate night sport. There are also special arrangements for TV broadcasting.
History of Saltlake Satdium
After the inaugural ceremony of Salt Lake Stadium in January, 1984, the stadium hosted many matches and important tournaments like Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup Soccer Tournament. Salt Lake Stadium has hosted several important international tournaments or matches such as The Pre-World Cup Tournament in 1985, Super-Soccers in 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1994, 3rd S.A.F. games in 1987, U.S.S.R. Festival in 1988, Charminar Challenger Trophy in 1992, and Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup in 1995.
Geography of Salt Lake Stadium
Salt Lake Stadium covers a total area of 76.40 acres and was inaugurated in the winters of 1984.
Features of Salt Lake Stadium
Some of the unique features in Salt Lake Stadium are:
•Unique synthetic track for athletic meets
•Electronic scoreboard
•Main football arena measuring 105m X 70m
•Elevators
•VIP enclosures
•Peripheral floodlighting arrangement from the roof-top
•Air conditioned VIP rest room and Conference Hall.
Facilities in Salt Lake Stadium
Some of the international based features found in Saltlake Stadium are
•Commentary boxes for All India Radio and TV along with several platforms for TV cameras
•Press boxes
•Dormitories
•AC. Rooms
•Player`s changing rooms
•Practice grounds for football, cricket and kho-kho, volleyball field and an ultra-medium gymnasium
•Stadium also has its own water arrangements and standby diesel generation sets.
Floodlights in Salt Lake Stadium
The floodlights installed inside the stadium consist of 624 bulbs of 2 kW each and two electronic scoreboards consisting of 36,000 bulbs of 25 watt each. There are four underground reservoirs, capacity of 10,000 gallons, as well, which help in fire fighting.
The stadium is also known to host various types of cultural programs such as music and dance concerts.
Football in Salt Lake Stadium
Salt Lake Stadium is known for hosting football matches. It hosts locals clubs Mohun Bagan A.C., Kingfisher East Bengal F.C., Prayag United S.C. and Mohammedan SC, three of the big clubs in Indian football. The stadium is also known for hosting the derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan AC. This contest between arch rivals is accompanied by much trumpet blast, glory and feverish emotions (and on a few occasions, outbreaks of violence). Most of these matches are attended by capacity crowds of supporters of both teams. On 5th June 2011 FIFA sanctioned a match at Salt Lake Stadium between football sides of Argentina and Venezuela. The match was organized well by the authorities and finally the result went to the favour of Argentina. Venezuela broke a few times into the Argentinean defence but could not make any real chance.
The stadium also hosted matches between Mohun Bagan and German club team Bayern Munich. It was Oliver Kahn`s final official match for Bayern Munich, which his team won comfortably with a 3-0 margin.
Athletics in Saltlake Stadium
The Salt Lake Stadium also hosts number of significant events. Apart from hosting the national tournaments it also hosts internal games. It has hosted the SAF Games in 1987 and various national athletics events in India.
Saltlake Stadium and ISL
On 12th October 2014, Salt Lake Stadium hosted the first match in the Indian Super League, preceded by an opening ceremony including Priyanka Chopra. In the opening match, Atletico de Kolkata defeated Mumbai City FC 3-0. Salt Lake Stadium hosted its last match of the inaugural edition of ISL on 14th December where Atletico de Kolkata played Goa FC in the first leg of the semi-finals. Salt lake stadium was the only stadium among the eight venues of Indian Super League where matches were allowed to be played on artificial turf.
Visiting Information
The stadium is situated on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, hence is easily accessible by road. It is connected easily with Kolkata airport, Sealdah Railway Station and Howrah.
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