The CDGL plan to provide quality sports complexes in different localities of Lahore has not as yet received the sort of response that was expected which is a cause of concern for all stakeholders.
Park and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had made public facilities in different areas of the provincial capital at a cost of Rs 214.5 million to provide quality sports facilities, especially to the lower and middle classes.
PHA built and renovates 11 small and big sports complexes; that were built in the past three years.
These facilities were built in Mian Plaza Johar Town, Babu Sabu, Model Town, Takoni Park Johar Town, Jalo Park, Nishat Colony, Samanabaad, Fatima Jinnah Park Township, Gulshan Iqbal and Ashiana.
All sports complexes include hockey and cricket stadiums built to match international standards and include indoor sports facilities such as badminton, table tennis, aerobics, gymnasium, squash courts, taekwondo and snooker rooms.
The newly built Samanabad sports arena is equipped with all indoor sports and includes an international standard swimming pool which has been built at a cost of Rs 9 million. The whole complex, covering an area of 5 acres, cost Rs 30 million to construct. Females are also allowed to avail the gymnasium facility with a qualified female couch.
Currently, there are 93 members of the gymnasium including male and female members. The motto of the authorities is to promote quality physical outlets to the youth and those not able to join costly clubs for such activates.
While a sports complex has been built in Johar Town that cost about Rs 20 million, it is not free and does not have a single listed member, despite inauguration.
The people of Johar Town are upset because even after inauguration the sports complex and hockey stadium is not open to public.
“I don’t know what the government is doing. When it has been made for us then why are we not allowed to use it? They made it just to gain votes and for their own personal interests. I request the caretaker government and concerned authorities to open this complex to public otherwise they are useless,” said Ali Raza, a resident of Johar Town.
PHA Director Engineer Izhar Ahmad Khan while talking to Pakistan Today said, “In three phases we have built eight cricket stadiums and 11sports arenas in the last three years and all are equipped with facilities matching international standards. They are built in such a way that in future, they can cope up with the growing population.”
All of these sports arenas will be managed for life and all experts from concerned departments are on-board for maintenance and operation of these facilities, he added.
Muhammad Usman, a resident of Samnabad told Pakistan Today it was good to see such quality equipment in the sports arena built by the government. “These days life is so fast we are not able to go to parks or gyms to exercise. It’s a very good opportunity and everyone should avail it,” he added.
Another resident of Samnabad, Mariam Mushtaq said, “The facility in the area has been an amazing experience. Such a sports arena in Samanabad is a good sign because we are not able to go outside for physical activity and private facilities are too costly.”
