Explained: Why is Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium closed for athletes?

The stadium will remain closed until November 15 for all athletes.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi will remain closed for athletes until November 15 due to ongoing renovation work, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) confirmed on Friday, October 24.

The temporary shutdown came to light after several trainees under the Come and Play scheme were denied access to the stadium on Friday. The situation led to a brief protest by the athletes, which was later resolved peacefully after officials intervened.

Under the Come and Play initiative, aspiring athletes are allowed to train at SAI facilities with their personal coaches for an annual fee of just Rs 100. The scheme aims to promote sports participation at the grassroots level and provide affordable access to world-class infrastructure.

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“It’s just to encourage budding sportspersons. The trainees who came today didn’t know and staged a small protest, after which we contacted their coaches and made them understand. They can utilise the facility after November 15,” a SAI official told PTI.

The official added that a formal notification regarding the closure and reopening dates will be issued on Saturday. The renovation is part of regular maintenance and upgradation work undertaken by SAI to ensure the track and other facilities meet national and international standards.

With operations set to resume after November 15, the stadium will once again open its gates to trainees and professional athletes preparing for the next phase of competitions.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, one of India’s premier multi-sport venues, hosts a range of athletic events and serves as a key training center for national and junior-level athletes. The ongoing maintenance is expected to enhance the track’s quality and overall infrastructure ahead of upcoming national events.

The stadium recently hosted the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships from September 27 to October 5. It was the first time this global para-athletics event was held in India and South Asia, and the games placed the stadium under international spotlight.

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However, the event was marred by safety concerns when two foreign coaches were bitten by stray dogs on the warm-up track. In response, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) stepped up efforts, deploying dog-catching teams and vehicles around the stadium and banning dog-feeders from entering the premises.

With these issues highlighted and the facility now undergoing renovation work, athletes and trainees will have to wait until after November 15 for the stadium to reopen.

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