Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium
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Location | Kolhapur |
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Owner | Kolhapur Sports Association |
Operator | Kolhapur Sports Association |
Capacity | 20,000[1] |
Field size | 106.0 M X 70.0 M |
Surface | Grass |
Opened | 1960 |
Tenants | |
Mumbai FC (2010-2011) ONGC FC (2010-2011) Air India FC (2010-2011) |
Rajarshi Shahu Football Stadium is a football stadium in Kolhapur. There is a two-story sitting arrangement in this beautifully developed stadium. This is a National level Football Stadium.
During I-League 2010-11 season Rajarshi Shahu Stadium hosted numerous matches of Mumbai teams due to unavailability of Cooperage Ground in Mumbai. Mumbai FC, ONGC FC, Air India played their all home games at this ground throughout the 2010-11 season.[2]
Name
The stadium is named in honour of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, the first Maharaja of the Indian princely state of Kolhapur between 1894 and 1922.
History
Uses
Football is a very popular sport in the Kolhapur city. 16 football clubs of KSA league division A use the stadium. The leagues are conducted by the Kolhapur Sports Association. Football Mahasangram is a yearly championship played here in Summer.
In 2010, final match of Mahasangram played between arch rivals Dilbahar and PTM was attended by a capacity crowd. It has also hosted an international friendly played between India and Netherlands teams.
Dilbahar Talim, Patakadil Talim, Shivaji, Balgopal Talim, Practice FC are the tenants of this stadium.
Future Plans
An artificial football turf supposed to be installed in Pune, was allotted to Kolhapur’s Shahu Stadium. KSA is owner of this stadium and also conduct both Cricket and Football matches here. But due to conflict of KSA with FIFA officials over the cricket pitch position, KSA denied to lay turf at Shahu Stadium. [3]
The artificial deck costs Rs 4 crore, and it would be installed according to the FIFA norms. The members of the stadium, want to give it a global face and are even planning to bid for international matches here.[4]