Nizhny Novgorod, A World Cup Wonder Or White Elephant?
Zeeshan Mehtab Published June 16, 2018 | 07:11 PM
Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jun, 2018 ) :Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, a beautiful, gleaming $290 million (250 million Euros) venue, makes its World Cup bow on Monday, playing host to South Korea and Sweden in a Group F clash.
Perched close to where the mighty Volga converges with the smaller River Oka, the enormous blue and white structure stands next to the 19th century Alexander Nevsky cathedral.
The ultra-modern 44,899 capacity stadium stands as a symbol of Russia's successful bid to host football's biggest tournament but also one of its major concerns -- what happens to the venue when the World Cup circus moves on? "No white elephants, nothing unneeded, nothing superfluous, everything will be put to use for Russian citizens in the coming years," Alexei Sorokin, Russia's World Cup organising committee chief told AFP in the run-up to the tournament.
Quite what Nizhny's stadium will be used for after July 6, when it hosts a quarter-final, is unclear.
The city's football team, Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod, which will inherit the stadium, plays in Russia's second tier and averages little more than 5,000 fans per game.
- Ice hockey rules - Spend a little time in the city and it is clear that Nizhny sports fans are less passionate about local football than ice hockey and the fortunes of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
Asked if he was excited about the World Cup coming to town, one taxi driver shyly admitted he preferred "hokkey" -- ice hockey.
Another, Sergei, recounted the recent Winter Olympics men's final -- which Russia won -- and laughed at suggestions that runners-up Germany might have triumphed. On football, he was less effusive.
Torpedo, a source of local pride in a city once closed off by Soviets and called Gorky, were the first ice hockey team outside Moscow to finish in the national league's top three, in 1961, and challenged the capital's clubs regularly in the early 1980s.
White elephant football stadiums are a touchy subject for any host nation and FIFA amid the bloating costs of staging a World Cup.
Following Brazil in 2014, there were numerous reports of stadiums that were no longer used once the tournament ended.
- Hosts' headache - The hosts in 2022, Qatar, with a population little more than double that of Nizhny Novgorod, has been at pains to show how its stadiums will be used after the World Cup.
One will be partially converted into a hotel, while another made from shipping containers will be packed away and rebuilt in another country.
Nizhny is not the only Russian city where there are fears of stadiums standing empty and rotting after the World Cup.
In Sochi, where Portugal played Spain on June 15, an impressive 48,000 stadium has been built, with its shape said to echo the mountains that surround it.
But the city had no football team until a second-tier club moved to the Black Sea resort this month from Saint Petersburg.
Another second-tier side, Rotor Volgograd, will inherit a 45,000 World Cup venue, 40,000 seats more than its average crowd will need.
Sorokin was insistent everything built for the tournament would have a long life and "nothing was built specifically for the World Cup".
Sergei, the taxi driver, was less emphatic.
Asked what Nizhny Novgorod Stadium could be used for, he shrugged his shoulders.
Maybe converted into a ice hockey stadium?"No, no, no," he said with a giggle.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rawalpindi woman gives birth to six babies
Kenya Army Chief Francis Ogola among nine others who died in Helicopter crash
Saudi FM’s visit positive, constructive one: FO
Hania enjoys vacations in London
IMF Officials assure support to Pakistan’s economy
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
More Stories From Sports
-
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
8 minutes ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
38 minutes ago -
PM Youth Talent Hunt girls & boys table tennis championship begins
1 hour ago -
O'Sullivan eyes eighth snooker world title amid more retirement talk
1 hour ago -
Nagelsmann to remain Germany national football coach till 2026
2 hours ago -
Pakistan, New Zealand teams not to train on Friday
4 hours ago
-
Blind Cricket Trophy from April 20
4 hours ago -
National Women's Football C’ship postponed
4 hours ago -
Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish
4 hours ago -
PSA World Tour Finals in June
4 hours ago -
2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage schedule confirmed
4 hours ago -
O'Sullivan eyes eighth snooker world title amid more retirement talk
9 hours ago