New Delhi: In a glittering ceremony here Thursday, not only was the famous Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium rechristened the ‘Arun Jaitley Stadium’ in honour of the late Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley, but the new players’ pavilion was also named after India skipper Virat Kohli.
All this was done in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Railways and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and a host of BCCI officials – both past and present.
The function was conducted at the Weightlifting Hall of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Most of the Indian team members in attendance saw Virat Kohli honoured for his contribution to the game.
The show started with a dance performance before DDCA president Rajat Sharma took over the stage as he welcomed everyone and showered laurels on not just Arun Jaitley and Virat Kohli, but also Amit Shah. He spoke on how former Finance Minister Jaitley played a pivotal role in making Delhi cricket what it is today.
The rechristening of the stadium was done by Shah, Sharma, Rijiju and the family members of Arun Jaitley with an audio visual clip being played in the background. Shah presented the Jaitley family with a memento to honour the occasion.
After that it was all about King Kohli as Rajat Sharma, Shah and the India skipper took the stage as the new pavilion was unveiled.
Speaking on the occasion, Virat Kohli spoke of how special the evening was and how it was double joy as the stadium was also named in honour of Jaitley on the same evening. Kohli also thanked his family and his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma for his contributions over the years.
“When I left home today, I told my family one anecdote. I remember getting a ticket to watch a game in 2001 at the stadium and asking for autographs from the players. So to have a pavilion in my name at the same stadium today is surreal and a great honour,” Kohli revealed.
The whole team was felicitated after this by Shah and Rijiju following which the players posed for a group photograph.
Speaking on the occasion, former India skipper Kapil Dev said: “Wonderful to have a stand in the name of Virat (Kohli). And whatever DDCA does for Arun Jaitley is not enough given his contribution.”
Former India player Ajay Jadeja said that it was a truly deserved gift for Kohli. “Virat is a special player and he deserves this kind of recognition. To be actively playing and getting a stand in his name is a great feeling,” he said.
IANS