Changlimithang Stadium: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Changlimithang Stadium

| address = Changlimithang, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

| location = [[Thimphu]], [[Bhutan]]

| nicknames =

| field_shape = rectangular

| original_capacity =

| dimensions = 122 x 76 yards <br> (102.4m x 69.4m)

}}

 

Located {{convert|2300|meters|ft}} above [[sea level]], the stadium is one of the highest in the [[world]]. It has raised numerous [[controversy|controversies]] in footballing circles, as its significant [[altitude]] affects the absorption of [[oxygen]] in the [[human body]], offering considerable advantage to the home teams who are more accustomed to such conditions.

 

[[File:Bhutan-soccerfield-feve.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The stadium as set of 2002 documentary [[The Other Final]]]]

The stadium was completely refurbished and reopened in 2008 for the dual celebration of the coronation of the fifth Druk Gyalpo [[Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck]] and the centenary of the establishment of the [[House of Wangchuck]] and the reunification of the country.<ref name="RAO2">{{cite web|url=http://www.raonline.ch/pages/bt/sport/bt_stadium01.html|title=Thimphu: A face-lift for Changlingmethang|last=Dorji|first=Kinley|date=2006|website=raonline.com|publisher=RA Online / Kuensel|access-date=30 July 2014}}</ref> Redevelopment plans were drawn up by the [[Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (Bhutan)|Ministry of Works and Human Settlement]] in conjunction with the National Steering Committee for the Coronation Celebrations.<ref name="RAO2" /> The old stand which consisted of 6 rows of seating with a capacity of around 10,000 was completely demolished to be replaced with a stand consisting of 21 rows of seating.<ref name="RAO2" /> This stand would provide substantial seating not just around the area of the football pitch, but also down alongside the archery range.<ref name="RAO2" /> In order to complete this construction, the squash and [[basketball]] courts were demolished, although the increased size of the stand allowed for the creation of areas for [[table tennis]] and [[shooting sports|shooting]] as well as facilities for bathing and changing underneath the seating area.<ref name="RAO2" /> In addition to changes to the sporting venues within the facility, the Olympic association were provided with new offices, the royal pavilion was expanded to increase guest capacity and the banqueting hall was renovated.<ref name="RAO2" /> Two new parks were also created on the land surrounding the facility: one between the car park and the river and another nearer the archery range were laid out at a cost of [[Ngultrum|Nu]]&nbsp;2,000,000.<ref name="RAO2" /> These renovations took two years and cost a total of Nu&nbsp;230,000,000.<ref name="BBS1" /> The newly refurbished stadium was opened by Prince [[Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck]].<ref name="BBS1" />

Further enhancements were made to the football pitch in 2011, when floodlighting was added.<ref name="DrukGreen">{{cite web|url=http://www.drukgreen.bt/index.php/about-us/corporate-social-responsibilties/279-floodlighting|title=Floodlighting at Changlimithang|website=drukgreen.bt|publisher=Druk Green|access-date=30 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050756/http://www.drukgreen.bt/index.php/about-us/corporate-social-responsibilties/279-floodlighting|archive-date=2014-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> There had been a desire to include floodlighting at the stadium since 2006, but this had not been achieved due to the high cost of installation.<ref name="DrukGreen" /> A trip to Bhutan by [[Tata Group]] owner [[Ratan Tata]] led to an agreement between [[Tata Power]], Druk Green and the Bhutan Olympic Committee to install floodlighting, with Tata bearing the cost of installation as an act of corporate social responsibility.<ref name="RAO2" /> The total cost of installing the floodlighting was [[Rupee|Rs]]&nbsp;13,230,000.<ref name="RAO2" />

 

 

==Modern usage==

 

Following the wedding, more improvements were made to the football pitch, with the grass field being replaced with an artificial surface to improve the performance of the players and add additional durability to the facility as a whole.<ref name="Kuensel2">{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/to-open-artificial-turf/#.U9ji7vn1CFY |title=To open artificial turf |last=Phuntsho |first=Tashi |date=13 December 2013 |website=kuenselonline.com |publisher=Kuensel Online |access-date=30 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200359/http://www.kuenselonline.com/to-open-artificial-turf/ |archive-date=2 January 2014 }}</ref> Historically, it had been very difficult to maintain the ground to an acceptable standard, with an uneven, rain-soaked pitch leading to mocking calls from spectators in the mid-1990s.<ref name="Kuensel5">{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/new-enthusiasm-for-an-old-sport/#.U9jlHvn1CFY |title=New enthusiasm for an old sport |last=Norbu |first=Passang |date=12 April 2013 |website=kuenselonline.com |publisher=Kuensel Online |access-date=30 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051250/http://www.kuenselonline.com/new-enthusiasm-for-an-old-sport/ |archive-date=8 August 2014 }}</ref>

 

Changlimithang played host to the FIFA World Cup trophy as part of its global tour prior to the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/world-cup-trophy-tour-countdown-for-bhutan-begins/#.U9kE0vn1CFY|title=World Cup trophy tour&nbsp;– Countdown for Bhutan begins|last=Dorji|first=Tshering|date=7 December 2013|website=kuenselonline.com|publisher=Kuensel Online|access-date=30 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051256/http://www.kuenselonline.com/world-cup-trophy-tour-countdown-for-bhutan-begins/#.U9kE0vn1CFY|archive-date=2014-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>

 

==References==

[[Category:Football venues in Bhutan]]

[[Category:National stadiums|Bhutan]]

[[Category:Sport in Thimphu]]

[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1974]]