Thiruvananthapuram, June 7: The Sports Hub, Thiruvananthapuram, a joint initiative by IL&FS and the state government, has bagged the David Vickers Award in the 'new venue of the year', beating several stadiums around the world.

Now in their seventh year, the 'Stadium Business Awards' are recognised around the world and this is the first time an Indian venue has won it.

The award was announced at the world famous Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on June 1, according to a press release issued here by the Sports Hub on Tuesday (June 7).

Located near the Technopark campus in the capital city, this modern sports complex built at a cost of Rs.345 crores, has a 50,000 seating capacity state-of-the-art stadium which has hosted both cricket and football matches. It is equipped with multi-use facilities such as an indoor sports arena, club house, guest rooms, convention centre, retail complex and many other facilities.

This stadium was first thrown open to hold the opening and closing ceremonies of the 35th National Games held in the state in 2015.

Following which it was closed to complete the remaining work and is now ICC and FIFA compliant.

To win this award, the Sports Hub beat top venues in the US, France, Japan and Turkey.

IANS