Residents of nearly 10 localities of the city have sent a written appeal to Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to get the famous Baba Ground vacated from illegal occupation of some officials of the Punjab Assembly.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mohammad Naeem Sheikh and other residents of areas of Islampura, Sanat Nagar, Sandha, Gulshan Ravi, Riwaz Garden, Chaburji and Lower Mall, having a population of about one million , stated that this was the only ground available for the cricketers of the area but it was occupied by the Punjab Assembly since February 2009 and despite efforts the locals have failed to get it vacated.
They said that the pavilion of the ground was being used for illegal activities while the main ground has become a venue for marriages. Five to six marriage functions a day are being arranged at the ground. They said that it was the same ground which was upgraded by Mian Nawaz Sharif and the pavilion was constructed on the directions of the former Prime Minister but now the occupants have left no space for cricketers.
These clubs have produced world class cricketers like Saeed Ahmed, Younis Ahmed, Nazir Junior, Ehtishamuddin, Shafiq Ahmed Papa, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mohammad Aamer, Nasir Jamshed and Abid Ali. All these clubs are registered with the Lahore City Cricket Association. On the weekends, the Baba ground, which has been owned by Punjab University’s Oriental College since 1802, is used for marriage parties while during working days, heavy parking ruins the field spoiling the future of thousands of young players who would turn to other negative activities.
The appeal has come at a time when Mian Shahbaz Sharif has pledged to develop 100 ground in the city and have inaugurated a couple of them recently.