CDA to partner with PCB to upgrade five Islamabad cricket grounds

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has decided to bring in the Pakistan Cricket Board to help upgrade five cricket grounds in the federal capital, with the venues to be used for first-class and other professional matches while remaining available to local players for the rest of the year.

According to CDA Member Environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the arrangement covers Shalimar, Diamond, National, Banigala, F-9 and Bhutto Cricket Ground. He said the grounds would remain under CDA ownership, while the PCB would handle repair work, pitch preparation, maintenance and related facilities.

Speaking about the plan, Mr Niazi said the civic agency would retain control of the venues and that the board’s role would be limited to managing the grounds and preparing them for higher-level cricket. He said PCB would use the facilities for matches such as first-class fixtures and grade II events, while local cricketers would have access outside those periods.

"The grounds in question will remain part of CDA, PCB will repair, prepare pitches and will take care of these grounds and in return they will use them for PCB matches like first-class matches and grade II events. For the rest of the year, the grounds will be available for local players,"

Academies and access

Mr Niazi said the CDA had prepared a broader plan for improving cricket grounds and academies in Islamabad and would also seek input from a couple of former Test cricketers. He added that age-group cricket academies would be established and outsourced through a competitive process, with a fee cap in place to prevent exploitation.

He said a separate academy for women’s cricket and children would, however, be run directly by the CDA. He also said no individual would be allowed to collect fees from CDA grounds and academies.

"Money-making from sports facilities is not our purpose; we want to provide maximum chances to youth to play cricket and other sports. We will take steps to ensure free grounds for club cricketers,"

At the same time, he said the authority would charge corporate users for these facilities and that the process would be made transparent through digitisation.

Wider sports plans

Mr Niazi, who is also a former first-class cricketer, said the CDA was also placing emphasis on football, hockey and other sports. He said the authority’s resources should be used for public benefit and added that several tournaments in different games were being planned.

He said he was also considering sector-based competitions in Islamabad, giving examples such as teams from G-6 playing against G-7 in cricket or football. According to him, these initiatives are being planned on the directions of the interior minister and the CDA chairman.

"CDA has large resources, which should be utilised for the betterment of citizens,"

In the past, several cricket grounds in Islamabad had been occupied by individuals who, charged high fees and limited access for professional cricketers. The CDA later regained possession of those grounds and introduced an online booking system under which venues were rented out for Rs15,000 per day. Under that system, professional club cricketers and academy players found it difficult to arrange Rs15,000 for a single match. The CDA has recently stopped renting out the grounds.