G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium

GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium

Full name	Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium
Former names	Gachibowli Athletic Stadium
Location	Gachibowli, Telangana, India
Coordinates	17°26′48.42″N 78°20′40.91″E
Owner	Sports Authority of Telangana state (SATS)
Operator	SATS
Capacity	30,000
Acreage	14,850 m2 (159,800 sq ft)
Surface	Grass
Scoreboard	Yes
Construction
Built	2001
Opened	2003
Tenants
2003 Afro-Asian Games 2007 Military World Games Fateh Hyderabad (2016–present) Hyderabad FC (2019–Present)

Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium, formerly known as the Gachibowli Athletic Stadium (Template:Lang-te), is a multipurpose stadium situated in the Gachibowli suburb of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is located beside International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad). The sports complex is build in 2002 headed by N. Chandrababu Naidu Government to host the 2003 Afro -Asian games. It is used mostly for association football matches. The stadium holds 30,000 people and contains an eight-lane 400m running synthetic athletic track, a 10-lane 100m sprinting track and a four-lane synthetic warm-up track. Inside the athletic tracks lies a football field 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) in size. Built at a cost of Rs.35.30 crores, it has built-up area of 14,850 m² (159,800 sq ft).

Structure

GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli

The highlight of the stadium's structure is the cantilevered roof covering the spectator stands. The simple yet innovative structural design allows a 25 m (82 ft) span cantilever allowing the spectators an unobstructed view of the sporting events. Diagonal yellow steel structural members act as tension members to balance out the forces of the cantilevered roof of the spectator stands. These members not only add to the exterior appearance, but also help in creation of a well-defined ambulatory path along the stadium. Orange coloured corrugated metal sheets wrap around the inner and outer edges of the roof trusses. This inexpensive cladding enhances the appearance of the stadium greatly.

It is an ultra modern stadium with eight line competition synthetic athletic track and 4-lane synthetic practice track. It uses the latest high-mast lighting for day-night events and provides obstruction-free viewing for all spectators. The stadium was named in the memory of G. M. C. Balayogi, an incumbent Speaker of Lok Sabha who died in an air crash but during the agitations in Telangana.

The 2003 Afro-Asian Games were held in this stadium. More than 30,000 people came to watch the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was about two hours and forty minutes long with a laser show son-et-lumiere.

About 2,800 Kuchipudi artistes performed a centuries-old dance on 26 December 2010 to earn a place in the Guinness World Records.

West block

Most of the services and administrative areas of the stadium are hosted in the west block. The west block also contains the entrance porch and lobby. The facilities hosted in the west block are:

• Public address system
• Media Centre & Press Box
• 3 service and one players’ entrance
• Score board control & Games management room
• Lighting control rooms
• Public address & announcement rooms
• VIP lounges, pantries & toilets
• Office & conference rooms

See also

• List of stadiums in Hyderabad, India
• 2003 Afro-Asian Games