AbbieLongoria3 at 23:10, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T23:10:52Z

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{{Short description|Sports complex in Assam}}
{{Infobox venue
| main_venue = [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
| main_venue_capacity = 21,600
| fullname = Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex
| former_names = Sarusajai Sports Complex
| image = IndiraGandhiStadium.jpg
| location = [[Sarusajai]], [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]
| owner = [[Government of Assam]]
| facilities = [[Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium]]
| cost = {{small|est.}}{{INRConvert|149|c}}
| main_contractors = [[Larsen & Toubro]]
| architect = STUP Consultants
| broke_ground = 2 March 2004
}}

The '''[[Arjuna Award|Arjuna]] Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex''',<ref name=":5" /> also known as the '''Bhogeswar Baruah stadium''',<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1969700201318486114 |user=himantabiswa |title=More and more people wish to see our beloved Zubeen one last time, and we deeply understand these sentiments. Therefore, Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium will remain open throughout the night today for the public to pay their respects to Zubeen. Tomorrow also, the mortal remains of Zubeen will be kept at Sarusajai for people to offer their homage. |first=Himanta |last=Biswa Sarma |date=21 September 2025 |access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref> formerly known as the '''Sarusajai''' '''Sports Complex''', is a [[Sports complex|complex of sports facilities]] located in [[Sarusajai]], [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]. It hosted the [[2007 National Games of India|2007 National Games]], and was used for the [[Lying in state|lying-in-state]] of [[Zubeen Garg]] in 2025.

== History ==

=== Development and construction ===
The locality of [[Sarusajai]] won the bid to host the [[2007 National Games of India|2007 national games]] on 13 December 2002, though the sports infrastructure of the town was not able to accommodate the event.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=7 December 2003 |title=Sleepy Sarusajai in infrastructure blitz |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/sleepy-sarusajai-in-infrastructure-blitz/cid/784192 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> It marked the first time the games had ever been held in [[Assam]] and only the second time in the [[Northeast India|Northeast]], after [[Manipur]].<ref name=":0" /> French Architectural firm STUP consultants, which previously designed infrastructure for the [[1976 Summer Olympics|Montreal Olympics]] and venues in the [[2004 Athens Olympics]], presented its designs to the government of Assam in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2003 |title=Global firm lands for Games - Stup Consultants present designs for 2005 Games in Assam |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/global-firm-lands-for-games-stup-consultants-present-designs-for-2005-games-in-assam/cid/841313 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> President of the [[Indian Olympic Association]], [[Suresh Kalmadi]], Chief Minister [[Tarun Gogoi]], and governor [[Ajai Singh]] laid the foundation stones for the athletics stadium, indoor hall, and aquatic stadium in December 2003. The project was spread over 369 [[Bigha|bighas]] of land.<ref name=":0" />

The state government engaged STUP consultants to design the infrastructure for the city, while the stadium construction was completed by [[Larsen & Toubro]]. The development project for the turfing of the football ground was a collaborative effort between the soil conservation department and STUP consultants, and the landscaping and plantation project was delayed due to Larsen & Toubro being unable to clear some of the sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2005 |title=More funds sought for Games |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/more-funds-sought-for-games/cid/843680 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> Larsen & Toubro began construction of the stadium on 2 March 2004, on the basis of designs prepared by STUP consultants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2006 |title=Demolition shadow on Games |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/demolition-shadow-on-games/cid/790688 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref>

Despite concerns over parts of the complex being still constructed in the days before the games,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2007 |title=Games work in progress, still |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/games-work-in-progress-still/cid/735693 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> the complex was ready for the opening of the 2007 games.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=10 February 2007 |title=Record splash at Games |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/record-splash-at-games/cid/731552 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]'' reported that the complex had cost {{INRConvert|149|c}}, and that there had been "negligible" use of the infrastructure since the 2007 games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2012 |title=SAI asked to take over Sarusajai complex for better use |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/sai-asked-to-take-over-sarusajai-complex-for-better-use/cid/453684 |access-date=6 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref>

In March 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-15 |title=Mahadev Deka speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the gym and fitness centre at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, on Sunday. |url=https://assamtribune.com/mahadev-deka-speaks-during-the-inauguration-ceremony-of-the-gym-and-fitness-centre-at-the-sarusajai-sports-complex-in-guwahati-on-sunday |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref> bodybuilder [[Mahadev Deka]] inaugurated the gym and fitness centre at the sports complex.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-03-02 |title=Gym & Fitness centre open at Sarusajai Sports Complex |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/local-sports/gym-fitness-centre-open-at-sarusajai-sports-complex |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-15 |title=Gym inaugurated at Sarusajai |url=https://assamtribune.com/gym-inaugurated-at-sarusajai |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Use ===
[[File:Zubin Garg Live performance (cropped).jpg|thumb|The body of legendary Assamese singer [[Zubeen Garg]] (pictured) lay in state at the complex in 2025.]]
The complex has hosted [[2007 National Games of India|2007 National Games]], [[2016 South Asian Games]], [[2020 Khelo India Youth Games]], 2024 [[Khelo India University Games]] and Khel Maharan. During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], the open area in the indoor stadium was converted to become care centres for COVID.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-20 |title=Sarusajai Sports Complex: The hub of sporting action in Northeast India |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2023/01/sarusajai-sports-complex-the-hub-of-sporting-action-in-northeast-india/,%20https://thenewsmill.com/2023/01/sarusajai-sports-complex-the-hub-of-sporting-action-in-northeast-india/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=thenewsmill.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Athletic Stadium is currently home to [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] and [[Inter Kashi FC|Inter Kashi]] while the Indoor Stadium hosted the [[Northeastern Warriors]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-15 |title=Disappointing start for North East Warriors |url=https://assamtribune.com/disappointing-start-for-north-east-warriors |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NorthEast United FC Venue |url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/504-northeast-united-fc-profile/venue |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=www.indiansuperleague.com |language=en}}</ref> In September 2025, the complex was used for the [[lying in state]] of Assamese singer [[Zubeen Garg]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=Assam’s Zubeen Garg cremated with State honours |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/zubeen-garg-funeral-guwahati-assam-september-23-2025/article70083661.ece |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
=== Renaming ===
On 28 May 2025, the Assam government under Chief Minister [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]] approved the renaming of the Sarusajai Sports Complex, to be named after legendary Assamese athlete, [[Bhogeswar Baruah]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-03 |title=Sarusajai Stadium renamed after Assam’s sporting legend Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/sarusajai-stadium-renamed-after-assams-sporting-legend-bhogeswar-baruah-1271927-2025-09-03 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-29 |title=Assam Renames Sarusajai Sports Complex After Sporting Legend Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/assam-renames-sarusajai-sports-complex-after-sporting-legend-bhogeswar-baruah |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref> During [[Abhiruchi Sports Day]] on 3 September, the sports complex was formally renamed, with Sarma stating that he felt "privileged" to rename the stadium in Baruah's honour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports complex renamed after Assam's first Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/09/03/ces27-as-sports-complex-rename.html |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

=== Future ===
In February 2017, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam government would create the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah State Sports Academy, and proposed {{INRConvert|5|c}} for the building of the school, using the infrastructure of the sports complex.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2017 |title=Rs 5cr allotted for sports academy |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/rs-5cr-allotted-for-sports-academy/cid/1427019 |access-date=11 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref>

In 2019, Chief Minister [[Sarbananda Sonowal]] laid the foundation stones for the state sports school named after Baruah to be located at the sports complex. The school is set to be built on 20 bighas of land and will have a focus on six disciplines: [[Track and field|athletics]], [[Association football|football]], [[boxing]], [[weightlifting]], [[archery]], and [[taekwondo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gani |first=Abdul |date=2019-02-26 |title=Assam to have sports school after its first Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://thebridge.in/athletics/assam-sports-school-first-arjuna-awardee-bhogeswar-baruah/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=thebridge.in |language=en}}</ref>

== Facilities ==

=== Sports venues ===
{{OSM Location map|width=350|height=280|coord={{coord|26.116|91.763}}|zoom=15|caption=Venues in the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex. {{div col|colwidth=12em|content=
{{Ubl
| '''Venues'''
| {{bgcolor|#57bbb6|''' 1 '''}} Athletic Stadium
| {{bgcolor|#6bc077|''' 2 '''}} Aquatic Complex
| {{bgcolor|#f48472|''' 3 '''}} Indoor Stadium
| {{bgcolor|#ffcc00|''' 4 '''}} [[Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium|Hockey Stadium]]
| {{bgcolor|#9933ff|''' 5 '''}} Lawn Bowls Green
}}}}|mark-coord1={{Coord|26.116005|91.760197}}|shape1=n-circle|shape-color1=#57bbb6|mark-title1=Athletic Stadium|mark-description1=Multi-purpose stadium|mark-coord2={{Coord|26.114329|91.757794}}|shape2=n-circle|shape-color2=#6bc077|mark-title2=Aquatic Complex|mark-description2=Swimming & aquatic sports|mark-coord3={{Coord|26.117795|91.758624}}|shape3=n-circle|shape-color3=#f48472|mark-title3=Indoor Stadium|mark-description3=Indoor sports arena|mark-coord4={{Coord|26.118424|91.769132}}|shape4=n-circle|shape-color4=#ffcc00|mark-title4=[[Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium|Hockey Stadium]]|mark-description4=Hockey stadium|mark-coord5={{Coord|26.112753|91.757662}}|shape5=n-circle|shape-color5=#9933ff|mark-title5=Lawn Bowls Green|mark-description5=Lawn bowling facility}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!No.
!Venue
!Events
!Capacity
|-
|1
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|[[Association football|Football]], [[Track and field|Athletics]]
|30,000
|-
|2
|Dr Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex
|[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]]
|1,500
|-
|3
|Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium
|[[Basketball]], [[Handball]]
|2,000
|-
|4
|[[Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium]]
|[[Field hockey|Hockey]]
|2,000
|-
|5
|Lawn Bowls Green
|[[Bowls]]
|
|}

=== Other facilities ===
A gym and fitness centre at the sports complex was opening in March 2020.<ref name=":1" /> Various stadiums in the complex also hold VIP rooms and media rooms.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Infrastructure {{!}} Sports Authority of Assam {{!}} Government Of Assam, India |url=https://saa.assam.gov.in/portlets/infrastructure-0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108143025/https://saa.assam.gov.in/portlets/infrastructure-0 |archive-date=2017-11-08 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=saa.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

== Design and architecture ==
[[File:Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.jpg|thumb|Sarusajai stadium in 2007]]

===Sarusajai stadium===
{{Main|Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium}}The Sarusajai stadium has an eight-lane synthetic track, as well as facilities for fields events including the [[long jump]], [[triple jump]] and [[high jump]].<ref name=":2" />

=== Hockey stadium ===
{{Main|Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium}}

The Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium was designed to have a capacity of 2,000 people, and has a [[synthetic turf]] in the main field and half of the practice field, and also has high mast lights.<ref name=":3" />

== Events ==
The Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex has held various events since 2007.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" |Sporting events at the NGAC Sports Complex
! scope="col" style="width:150px;" |Date
! scope="col" style="width:300px;" |Event name
! scope="col" style="width:150px;" |Facilities (within complex)
! scope="col" style="width:50px;" |{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" |9–18 February 2007
|[[2007 National Games of India]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref name=":4" />
|-
! scope="row" |5 February 2016
|[[2016 South Asian Games]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2016-02-05 |title=PM Modi Declares South Asian Open in Colourful Ceremony |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2016/Feb/05/pm-modi-declares-south-asian-open-in-colourful-ceremony-888946.html |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!October 2017
|[[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gani |first=Abdul |date=2019-11-29 |title=FIFA seeks amendment to facilities at Sarusajai Stadium for U-17 Women’s World Cup |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2019/11/fifa-seeks-amendment-to-facilities-at-sarusajai-stadium-for-u-17-womens-world-cup/,%20https://thenewsmill.com/2019/11/fifa-seeks-amendment-to-facilities-at-sarusajai-stadium-for-u-17-womens-world-cup/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=thenewsmill.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!3–4 February 2018
|[[Assam Global Investors' Summit]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-31 |title=Stage set for State's mega global trade summit |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/stage-set-for-states-mega-global-trade-summit |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!10 January 2020
|[[2020 Khelo India Youth Games]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-19 |title=Khelo India Youth Games 2020: All-round Maharashtra maintain top spot; Assam swimmer Shivangi Sarma wins fourth gold |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/khelo-india-youth-games-2020-all-round-maharashtra-maintain-top-spot-assam-swimmer-shivangi-sarma-wins-fourth-gold-7928991.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241103173421/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/khelo-india-youth-games-2020-all-round-maharashtra-maintain-top-spot-assam-swimmer-shivangi-sarma-wins-fourth-gold-7928991.html |archive-date=2024-11-03 |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=Firstpost}}</ref>
|-
!15 February 2020
|[[65th Filmfare Awards]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-02-15 |title=65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020: Akshay Kumar gets showered with love on his arrival in Assam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/65th-amazon-filmfare-awards-2020-akshay-kumar-gets-showered-with-love-on-his-arrival-in-assam/articleshow/74151062.cms |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
!21–22 September 2025
|[[Lying in state]] of [[Zubeen Garg]]
|Sports Complex
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-20 |title=From Kahilipara to Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Complex: Zubeen Garg’s final journey for public homage |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/from-kahilipara-to-arjun-bhogeswar-baruah-complex-zubeen-gargs-final-journey-for-public-homage-1280431-2025-09-20 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==

* [[List of sports venues named after individuals]]
* [[Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Sports complexes]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Assam]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Assam]]

Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex - Revision history

AbbieLongoria3 at 23:10, 26 February 2026