Shillong, Jul 31: Work to get the JN Stadium in Polo ready to host Group F matches of the 133rd Durand Cup from Friday is 95 to 98% ready, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri said today.
Warjri undertook an inspection of the stadium today with officials from the armed forces (which organise the tournament), the Sports & Youth Affairs Department, contractor and others.
Last minute touches were going on even as a dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony was taking place. “During the inspection we have observed that 95% to 98% is ready and I believe by 2nd August it will be 100%,” Warjri said.
The opening match will take place on Friday between local side Shillong Lajong FC and Tribhuvan Army FC of Nepal. The game will kick off at 4PM, with the opening ceremony starting at 2PM.
The JN Stadium is expected to be inundated with VIPs from the state government, armed forces, not to mention the two teams, spectators, etc for the opening match. Police informed yesterday that traffic restrictions will be in place around the sports complex for the launch. As a further measure to reduce traffic, all schools in the Shillong Municipal Area will have a holiday on Friday.
The start of the tournament at other venues this year has seen marching bands, dancers and other entertainers involved.
The JN Stadium was meant to host the Durand Cup last year but Meghalaya missed out as the work was nowhere near ready.
The state government has spent years and crores of rupees on the stadium’s renovation, with a new natural turf pitch, new floodlights, new stands and new dressing rooms all being put in. Last year the Chief Minister informed that around Rs 53 crore had been budgeted for the work, divided into two phases. One thing that hasn’t been completed yet are the “state-of-the-art” facilities for track and field events that were promised.
The other teams set to play in Shillong this year are FC Goa and Hyderabad FC from the Indian Super League.
(Photo: Screen grab)