Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on May 16, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (May 16, 2026) laid the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium and announced that a new sports complex would come up on 60 acres of land adjacent to the facility.
“While an international cricket stadium with a capacity of 30,000 will be built on 46 acres, a world-class sports complex will also be built on the adjacent 60 hectares. All indoor playing facilities will be available and outdoor games such as hockey will also be possible,” the construction of the stadium and complex will create a number of new markets and employment opportunities in hotels, restaurants and new employment opportunities. The minister said on bhoomi pujan for the stadium to be built at a cost of around ₹ 393 crore at Tal Nador, Gorakhpur.
Talking about the Tal Nador area, Mr. Adityanath said that it was barren and neglected until a few years ago and that the encroachments have been removed since then.
“The twin-engine government is providing an excellent platform to shape the future of the youth on this land. The stadium will fulfill the dreams of the youth and future generations. The government land will be used for public welfare and development projects. A veterinary college is also being established in Tal Nador with the same vision,” he said.
Mr. Adityanath said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had made the state free from mafias, hooliganism, riots and curfews and that development and employment generation naturally resulted from such stability.
“People who divide society on the basis of caste, language and region cannot be supporters of the public. When such people held power, they spread hooliganism, anarchy and disorder. Instead of public welfare, they misused power for their families. A two-engine government works for public welfare and employment generation,” he said.
Regarding employment in sports, the Chief Minister said that around 550 medal winning players have so far been given government jobs through direct recruitment in Uttar Pradesh and the appointment of another 500 players has been announced.
“Letters of appointment will soon be provided through direct recruitment of players who will win medals in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup and other competitions,” he said, adding that the government is fulfilling its responsibility to provide infrastructure to players. Sports grounds, block-level mini stadiums and district-level stadiums are coming up in every village, he added.
Published – 17 May 2026 0:17 AM IST
