Imagine a place where dreams of Indian sports once roared louder than the crowds. That’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in Delhi, a giant 102-acre sports complex built for the 1982 Asian Games. Now, plans by the sports ministry have surfaced to tear down this iconic landmark and build a shiny, brand-new state-of-the-art sports city! Back in 2013, a FIFA U17 World Cup official shared a heartfelt memory on social media about his simple office overlooking JLN’s famous running track and sprawling outfield—a view "to die for." That office was not just a workspace but a nest of hopes and dreams about changing Indian football. JLN’s sprawling interior hides over one hundred small offices, from the Sports Authority of India to a neglected sports book library and even a Bridge Association! Walking its corridors is like stepping into a time capsule. One hidden room held 200 new push-button phones, another 7-8 life-sized mascots from past Commonwealth Games, including the 2010 tiger mascot Shera. Yet, for many, it’s Appu the elephant, mascot of the 1982 Asian Games, that sparks powerful memories. Those 1982 Games introduced colour TV to India and brought endless hours of thrilling sport to fans. The stadium also made history with cricket, hosting the first day-night match outside Australia in 1983. Legendary cricketer Kirti Azad shone, scoring 71 runs and taking 3 wickets. In 1984, the first official day-night ODI here saw Australia’s Kepler Wessels dominate. Though the ‘80s and ‘90s saw JLN used mostly for concerts and events, the 2010 Commonwealth Games revitalized it with a German design makeover. The Games dazzled with jaw-dropping ceremonies and memorable medals like Krishna Poonia’s first Commonwealth athletics gold in decades, but off-field controversies stole the headlines. In 2014, JLN lit up again for the FIFA U17 World Cup. On the opening day, 25,000 kids from remote towns flooded the stadium but faced hunger and thirst due to poor arrangements, a heartbreaking sight for true sports fans. Despite the hurdles, the stadium witnessed a historic moment when Jeakson Singh scored India’s first-ever FIFA goal. For a brief, shining moment, India stood toe-to-toe with Colombia before narrowly losing. If the stadium is truly demolished, what hidden gems and stories will vanish with it? This heart of Indian sports, once full of sweat, cheers, and dreams, might soon be just a memory. Only time will tell what surprises lie beneath the layers of JLN’s walls, waiting to be discovered before it bows out of history. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)