Int'l cricket stadium in Jammu under active consideration: J&K Govt

Jammu, Apr 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday confirmed that establishing a state-of-the-art international cricket stadium in Jammu was under active consideration and was being pursued with the Government of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The development came in response to a question raised by legislator Ranbir Singh Pathania during the ongoing budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.

The legislator sought clarity on whether the government intends to construct a top-tier international stadium in Jammu.

The government informed the House that while a state-of-the-art international cricket stadium has already been approved and constructed at Hiranagar, Kathua, under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, there has been a specific demand for an international-level cricket stadium developed through the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

“There was a demand with regard to the establishment of a state-of-the-art international cricket stadium of BCCI standards through BCCI/JKCA. The matter is under consideration and being pursued with the ministry. The decision in this regard is awaited,” the government stated in its written response.

Currently, the existing stadium infrastructure in Jammu, including MA Stadium and other facilities, is undergoing upgrades, but stakeholders have repeatedly voiced the need for a fully BCCI-compliant venue to host international matches and boost the region’s sports economy.

The move could mark a major boost for cricketing infrastructure in the Jammu region, where stakeholders have long called for a facility capable of hosting international matches.

If approved, the stadium would not only provide modern facilities to players but also position Jammu as a potential venue for BCCI domestic and international fixtures.