National Stadium Karachi opening ceremony today

KARACHI: The inauguration of the new and improved National Stadium Karachi is scheduled for tonight, February 11, and will feature a vibrant opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony is the culmination of 126 days of work, which began on September 28 and ended on January 31.

“I appreciate the hard work of the laborers involved in the construction of national stadium Karachi,” said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, adding that “FWO, NESPAK, contractors, and the entire PCB team worked tirelessly.”

The ceremony will feature performances from Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Sahir Ali Baga, as well as fireworks and a light show. Entry for the opening ceremony will be free.

In regards to the upgrades made to the stadium, the pavilion building was completely rebuilt. New seats have also been installed in every enclosure and all hospitality boxes have been renovated. New LED lights and modern score screens have been installed for the stadium to adhere to international standards. Fences have been removed so cricket fans can have a better viewing experience.

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Naqvi looked forward to the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, which will have its first match in National Stadium Karachi on February 19, when Pakistan and New Zealand face each other.

“We will provide the best facilities to the players of the Champions Trophy teams,” said Naqvi.

Other Stadiums

The National Stadium Karachi will be the second of the three venues for the upcoming Champions Trophy to have its inauguration ceremony. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore already had its opening on February 7, and featured a similar list of events, including music performances, fireworks, and a light show. The opening ceremony for the Champions Trophy will also take place in Gaddafi Stadium on February 16.

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the last of the three venues to complete its renovations and hold its opening ceremony.

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