SIALKOT, Jan 30: The Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot continues to present a gloomy picture of step-motherly treatment being meted out to it for the last couple of years.
The stadium's general enclosure is particularly in bad shape, as its fibreglass canopy has broken from various spots and seats have developed cracks and holes.
The authorities concerned seem to be the least bothered. The cricket stadium remains a victim of negligence of the authorities, who have been claiming that they have been struggling to get a one-day international match organized here.
The buildings department had declared several years ago the stands in the general enclosure dangerous. Thereafter, the business community felt obliged to stand up and it built three of the stands in the enclosure at a cost of Rs3 million. Sialkot District Cricket Association former president Imran Ashraf looked after the project.
Talking to Dawn here, Mr Ashraf pointed out that besides interior disorder, exhibition stalls around the stadium had blemished its exterior. He also took exception to the step-motherly treatment of the district government and the Tehsil Municipal Administration, which had been allowing traders to set up cattle market ahead of Eidul Azha around the stadium for years.
Elaborating on development, he said three wickets of international standard had been prepared at the stadium, besides starting renovation of its pavilion. He said a few months ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board's inspection team, led by Shafqat Rana, had visited the stadium and declared it fit for organizing international matches.
However, the PCB had yet to decide the fate of the stadium where the last international match was played in 1996. Mr Ashraf has demanded that the PCB should improve the lot of the Jinnah Stadium and organize limited-over and test matches here.
