Kolkata, Nov 7 (PTI): The historic 126th Beighton Cup is set to be staged at the newly unveiled Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Hockey Stadium, which the West Bengal government claims seats 22,000 spectators, making it the largest international-standard hockey venue in the nation.
Built at a reported cost of Rs 20 crore, the advanced facility, located within the Salt Lake Stadium complex, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, coinciding with the centenary festivities of Indian hockey.
During this prestigious tournament, dubbed the “Blue Riband of Indian Hockey,” numerous current and former Olympians and international hockey stars will compete.
The Beighton Cup, inaugurated in 1895, holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest hockey championship.
The competition officially begins on Saturday, with the finale slated for November 16.
Conceptualized under the guidance of the Chief Minister, the new stadium boasts a state-of-the-art synthetic turf, a gallery on one side featuring four stands, two well-appointed dressing rooms, a press corner, a room dedicated to video analysts, and a venue operations hub.
The purported capacity of 22,000 spectators, as stated by the government, raises questions regarding how this number can be accommodated within the single-sided gallery structure that also features an earthen-style gallery akin to those found in Australia.
During the official opening ceremony at the Kolkata International Film Festival, actor Parambrata Chatterjee remarked, “We believe that this facility is unmatched across the country in terms of amenities — a stadium designed to host 22,000 fans.” As it stands, Odisha's Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, with a capacity of 20,000, holds the title of the largest hockey stadium in India.
The state is also home to the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, which accommodates approximately 15,000 spectators.
West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas, who conducted a venue inspection on Friday afternoon, was unavailable for comment.
Indian hockey celebrated its 100th anniversary on Friday, marking a century since the sport’s official organization began in 1925 with the establishment of the first national governing body.
In commemoration of this milestone, Hockey Bengal arranged men's and women's matches throughout the districts earlier in the day.
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