Fate of the sports grounds in the capital city, which have been neglected by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) continuously for the past many years, is likely to be changed as the civic body decided the other day to upgrade all the playgrounds, including the F/8 Sports Ground.
The decision was taken by CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal during a visit to F/8 Sports Ground, where he directed the officials concerned officials to made a comprehensive plan for the up gradation of the facility. The main ground of Sector F/8 is in dilapidated condition for last many years.
“Although the CDA have now taken notice of the poor conditions of sports grounds, including the said one, some lawyers are eyeing the same ground for last many months, as they want to occupy it for establishing their private chambers,” a CDA official told Pakistan Today.
On the other hand, the announcement by the CDA chief has almost ‘sabotaged’ the malafide intentions of some lawyers who can make an attempt to encroach upon the land which was allocated for sports purposes. The CDA chairman, on the occasion, urged the officials concerned to ensure proper and timely maintenance of the sports-related facilities. He, however, requested the citizens to cooperate with CDA for promotion of sports in the federal capital.
Talking to Pakistan Today, several sportsmen asserted that the authority had time and again made many claims to upgrade the sports grounds, but very least practical steps had been taken on the issue. Currently, one can see litter scattered everywhere instead of grass, while the jogging track has been covered by shrubs.
Interestingly, a large number of garbage pickers have also made the ground a dumping place for their trash.
The CDA chairman was apprised that the facility comprised football ground, basketball and badminton courts with a jogging track around the multi-purpose ground after which he (Farkhand) directed the officials concerned to prepare a comprehensive plan for its up-gradation in line with international standards.
He said the authority was considering different options to revamp and upgrade the sport facilities with the assistance of the corporate sector so as to equip these with latest facilities to help boost sports activities among the young generation, adding that Islamabad was one of the beautiful city in the world and all out efforts would be made for provision of international standard sports facilities. Farkhand said youth were the real asset of a society and sports activities would keep them away from all kinds of negative activities and would lead to a healthy society.
