But the dream to have a stadium of international class in Mumbai came true and only one man was responsible for that.
Stadium has all kinds of facilities which international cricket demands with a capacity of 55,000 spectators
NAVI MUMBAI: When you enter the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul, there is a feeling that you have entered an international stadium somewhere outside the country. But the dream to have a stadium of international class in Mumbai came true and only one man was responsible for that.
Vijay Patil, chairman of DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, has made a stadium one of its kinds which you rarely get to see in India. It has all kinds of facilities which international cricket demands. The stadium has the capacity of 55,000. Even the players’ lounge has been made attractive with glass wall and attached air condition.
Overall Patil calls it as a “spectator friendly” stadium where people can enjoy cricket.
After having worked hard to build the venue, DY Patil got its first big assignment of hosting the BCCI’s cash-rich Indian Premier League. “I am a very sporty person and always dreamt of doing something for sports. And I am a bit biased towards cricket so I made a cricket stadium,” Patil, who holds a degree in Computer Engineering and Masters in Business Administration, told DNA on the sidelines of the DY Patil Twenty20 Tournament final.
The 39-year old said it wasn’t difficult for him to convince his parents. “My father (DY Patil) has always been a sports enthusiast and when I told him about my dream to build a stadium he immediately gave his approval, despite it being a big project. We have been working on this project for three years and I am happy with it,” Patil said.
Patil said he had been working on this project for a long time. “Before staring this project I went to lot of international stadiums which included Lords, Old Trafford etc and borrowed ideas from there. And here is the result. But the project is not yet over as we need to give some finishing touches,” he said.
“The main thing which I had in mind was to make the stadium spectator friendly. I want people to come and enjoy the game with their families. There are seats for every individual which gives space to every one. There a re food stalls for them.”
However, Patil’s ultimate dream is to have a Test match played in his stadium. “We have got IPL matches, but my dream is to have a Test match over here,” he added.
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