Ayub National Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ایوب نیشنل اسٹیڈیم | |
 Interactive map of Ayub National Stadium | |
Former names | Baluchistan Cricket Association Ground |
|---|---|
| Address | Pakistan |
| Location | Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 30°12′14″N 66°59′53″E / 30.20389°N 66.99806°E |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Construction | |
| Renovated | 2023 |
Ayub National Stadium, formerly known as the Baluchistan Cricket Association Ground, is a multi-purpose stadium in Quetta, Pakistan. It is currently used mostly for hosting football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people.[1][2]
The ground is part of the Ayub Sports Complex, which contains a football pitch, a tartan track, two halls for indoor games, a handball court, and two field hockey turfs.[3][4] It is located next to the Bugti Stadium, which used for hosting cricket matches.
The stadium has hosted two One Day International (ODI) cricket matches, one in 1978, and the other in 1984. In both of these matches, Pakistan faced India.[5][6]
On 12 June 2005, it hosted the first of three friendly games in a football series between Pakistan and India, which ended in a 1–1 draw, with goals scored by Sunil Chhetri and Muhammad Essa.[7][8]
The stadium subsequently hosted the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Balochistan Football Cup.[9][10][11][12]
Over time, neglect and mismanagement led to the stadium falling into disrepair, mainly being used for political gatherings.[13] The football ground lacked basic facilities, including pavilion, and it was denuded of grass.[13] The stadium's renovation started in March 2018, for the 2019 National Games of Pakistan and generally to revive sports activities at the stadium.[13][14]
In November 2021, the stadium hosted the Ufone 4G Balochistan Football Cup 2021 organised by Ufone, including the final between Muslim FC and Baloch Quetta.[15][16]
It underwent another round of renovation between 2021 and 2023, for the 2023 National Games of Pakistan.[17][3][4][18] It was the main venue in the event, where the Sports Complex was used for badminton, basketball, martial arts, handball, squash, tennis, volleyball, and other indoor games,[19] and the stadium hosted athletics, football, and tug of war.[20]
At the end of 2023, political rallies held by JUI-F, Pakistan Peoples Party and PKMAP caused millions of rupees worth of damage to the running track in the stadium and left it in urgent need of repairs.[21]