The Ferozeshah Kotla, one of the oldest cricket stadium in the country, will soon be renamed after Arun Jaitley, the former president of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
Jaitley, who passed away on Saturday, was DDCA president from 1999 to 2013 and was noted for his contribution to cricket in the Capital. The stadium was his vision and it was during his tenure that the renovated stadium became functional in 2005.
'Fitting tribute'
Calling it a “fitting tribute”, DDCA president Rajat Sharma made the announcement here on Tuesday. “The renaming of Delhi’s famous cricket venue as Arun Jaitley Stadium will take place on September 12 at a function where a stand of the Kotla ground will be named after India captain Virat Kohli as announced earlier,” Rajat Sharma said.
He also clarified, “The Stadium has been named Arun Jaitley Stadium but the ground will continue to be called Ferozeshah Kotla.”
Read | Arun Jaitley - Delhi cricket's visionary administrator
On this initiative, he said, “What can be better [than] to have the stadium named after the man who got it rebuilt in his tenure? It was Arun Jaitley’s support and encouragement that players like Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra could make India proud.”
Transformation
Jaitley is credited with transforming the stadium into a modern infrastructure. He increased its capacity to help fans get improved amenities. “Jaitley gave the stadium world-class dressing rooms and other cricketing facilities,” said Rajat Sharma.
The function, to be held at the Weightlifting Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the chief guest, and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju as the guest of honour.
There is also a proposal to rename the Yamuna Sports Complex in East Delhi after Jaitley. The proposal is lying with Lt. Governor Anil Baijal.
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