Changlimithang Stadium

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Changlimithang Stadium

Changlimithang Stadium during a parade
Location Thimphu, Bhutan
Coordinates 27°28′17.1″N 89°38′27.8″E / 27.471417°N 89.641056°E / 27.471417; 89.641056Coordinates: 27°28′17.1″N 89°38′27.8″E / 27.471417°N 89.641056°E / 27.471417; 89.641056
Broke ground 1974
Opened 1974
Renovated 2007[1]
Capacity 25,000
Field dimensions 122 x 76 yards
(102.4m x 69.4m)
Tenants
Bhutan national football team
Bhutan women's national football team
Archery sides

Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the National Stadium. It is currently used mostly for football and archery matches. The stadium holds 25,000. Changlimithang stadium was also the venue of Bhutan's first open theatrical production, which was A Tale of Two Cities.

History

The stadium was built in 1974 to celebrate the Coronation of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1974. It had a capacity to hold 10,000 spectators. However, it was completely refurbished in 2007 to accommodate 25,000 spectators for the Centenary of Wangchuk Dynasty rule in Bhutan and also the Coronation Celebrations of the fifth king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, held on November 6, 2008. It now covers an area of about 11 hectares (27 acres). This was also the location where national celebrations were held from the time of the 3rd King of Bhutan. Historicity of the Changlimithang ground is traced to the 1885 battle that established the political supremacy of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck, Bhutan’s first king. Adjacent to the main stadium are the football ground, the cricket field and archery range. Numerous archery tournaments are held here with both the imported compound bows and traditional bamboo bows. The main stadium is used for multipurpose sports and other functions.[2][3][4] A documentary film known as “The Other Final” was filmed based on a special football match arranged by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), on June 30, 2002, that was played between the 202nd-ranked Bhutan and 203rd-ranked Montserrat (out of 203 worldwide), in which Bhutan won 4-0. In November 2012 astro-turf was laid at the National Stadium. On 8th March 2012, the FIFA President Joseph Blatter inaugurated football pitches belonging to the Bhutan Football Federation next to the National Stadium in the presence of Prince Jigyel in a special groundbreaking ceremony.

References

  1. ↑ "Historic Changlimithang stadium inaugurated". Bhutan Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2010-06-07. 
  2. ↑ Brown, p.62
  3. ↑ "Historic Changlimithang stadium inaugurated". Bhutan Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2010-06-07. 
  4. ↑ "Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground". Retrieved 2010-06-07. 

External links

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