The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in New Delhi, a landmark in India's sporting history, is potentially slated for demolition to make way for a state-of-the-art Sports City. Sources within the Sports Ministry have confirmed that the ambitious project aims to modernize India's sports infrastructure and enhance its prospects for hosting major international events, including a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The proposed Sports City would span the stadium's existing 102-acre complex. The current stadium complex utilizes less than 30% of the total area. The new complex is envisioned as a multi-sport hub modeled after successful integrated sports precincts in Qatar and Australia. Officials are studying these international models to finalize the project's details. The aim is to create a self-sufficient sporting ecosystem with training facilities, accommodation, and entertainment avenues. The sports ministry envisions a campus that supports high-performance sport, mass participation, and media, all in one place.
The Sports City is projected to include elite training facilities, upgraded competition venues and athlete-centric high-performance centers designed to international standards. The blue print proposes facilities for athlete housing, flexible indoor arenas, and high-performance training centers. It is also expected to feature lodging facilities for athletes. The project aims to accommodate all major sporting disciplines under one roof.
However, the project is currently in its early stages of planning. While the proposal has been discussed internally, there is no official timeline for the project's commencement or completion. Land-use permissions, funding models and operational frameworks are still being studied.
The JLN Stadium has been a cornerstone of Indian sports for over four decades. Originally built for the 1982 Asian Games, it underwent a major renovation ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games at a cost of ₹961 crore. The stadium has hosted major athletics events, football fixtures, large-scale concerts, and national ceremonies, including Independence Day functions. It recently hosted the World Para Athletics Championships, for which a new mondo track was laid at a cost of ₹30 crore. The stadium currently houses several organizations, including the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL). These offices will be relocated as the project progresses.
The decision to dismantle the stadium has raised questions about fiscal responsibility, given the significant investments made in its renovation. Critics argue that the economic and sentimental cost of demolishing such a large structure cannot be justified without a fully concrete, approved plan.
In related news, the Sports Ministry has begun its largest-ever recruitment process for assistant coaches with the SAI, aiming to fill 320 positions across 25 disciplines in the first phase. The selection process prioritizes transparency and gender inclusivity, with 50% of positions reserved for women.
