Dhyan Chand National Stadium

The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium commonly known by its former name, National Stadium is a field hockey stadium in New Delhi, India. The stadium is named after former Indian field hockey player, Dhyan Chand. It served as the venue for the 1st Asian Games in 1951.HistoryThe stadium was built in 1933 as a gift for Delhi from the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, it was originally multipurpose stadium and named the Irwin Amphitheatre. It was designed by Anthony S. DeMillo and opened by Lord Willingdon. As per the original plans of architect of New Delhi Edwin Lutyens there was to be garden at the site, to provide a clear view of the historic Purana Quila (Old Fort) in the backdrop, as it lay perpendicular to the axis beginning from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House) through Rajpath and ending at the India Gate, his plans were however overruled. It was renamed National Stadium before the 1951 Asian Games, Dhyan Chand's name was added in 2002.Major renovationsThe Dhyan Chand Stadium was the host venue for the 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup. It was also the field hockey venue of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The stadium underwent a major reconstruction project before the Hockey World Cup 2010.