Pune’s Army Sports Institute to be Named After Tokyo Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra


Pune’s Army Sports Institute to be Named After Tokyo Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra created history at the Tokyo Olympics, as he won India’s first medal in athletics at the Olympics and only India’s second individual gold medallist ever. Chopra brought laurels for India, as his victory is inspiring a new generation of young athletes in the country.

In honour of Chopra, the athletics stadium on the Southern Command’s Army Sports Institute will be named after the Olympic Champion as a recognition of his historic achievement and with the hopes of motivating athletes to practice more in the future.

Constructed in 2006, the Army Sports Stadium has a 400m synthetic track, as well as sitting arrangements for spectators. Chopra spent some of the early years of his training at the ASI.

Army Sports Stadium to be renamed “Neeraj Chopra Army Sports Stadium, Pune Cantonment”

Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra

The facility will now be renamed as Neeraj Chopra Army Sports Stadium, Pune Cantonment. The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest for the naming ceremony on 23rd August, while Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane will also attend the event.

“The Stadium is of International standard where all athletes are trained every day. We have improved the facility recently. Since the stadium is not named after any prominent figure we thought to name it after Neeraj as a best gift on his first visit to the ASI after winning the gold medal,” an army officer said to TOI.

Chopra will be interacting with the athletes at ASI on 23rd August.

Also read: ‘Nobody thought of gold’ – Coach Klaus Bartonietz opens up on Neeraj Chopra’s through process going into maiden Olympic campaign