KARACHI, Feb 21: The construction of Women Sports Complex, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, has been completed and its opening ceremony will be held by the mid of March.

The complex, being constructed at a cost of Rs55 million, will prove as a unique project for women throughout the country.

Begum Musharraf has been requested by Nazim Niamatullah Khan to inaugurate the complex, stated an official handout issued by the city government here on Monday. The problem of power supply to the complex was also resolved with the efforts of City Nazim Niamatullah Khan who directed the EDO (Community Development) to ensure completion of remaining work at the earliest.

The complex is providing sports and recreational facilities under one roof. The project comprises a multi-purpose indoor gymnasium with the facility of badminton, volley-ball, judo/karate, table-tennis, squash, besides a six lane indoor swimming pool, jogging track, skating ring, fitness centre, and dressing rooms.

Being an important project of the city government, the community development department will ensure regular management, upkeep and availability of all required facilities for maximum utilization of the complex.

Taking into consideration the importance of the project, a meeting was held on Feb 19 to discuss the affairs of the complex. The decisions taken at the meeting included allocation/ availability of required funds within 15 days to meet immediate requirement for purchase, repair of equipment, payment of salary and other recurring expenditure.

Meanwhile, DCO Fazlur Rehman accompanied by senior officers paid a detailed inspection visit to the complex on Monday. He regretted that such a huge sports complex having ample indoor/ outdoor facilities was totally neglected. He said that special attention should be paid for regular management/ upkeep of the complex for maximum utilization of sports and recreational facilities available there.

The DCO issued instructions for undertaking required engineering (civil and electrical) works, besides purchase/ procurement of the required equipment on priority basis. He asked the officers concerned to mobilize all resources to make the project ready from all respects by March 20 for its formal inauguration on Pakistan Day.

Earlier in a briefing, the DCO was informed that the complex was established about a decade ago having the facilities of indoor swimming pool, multipurpose hall, gymnasium, table tennis, squash court, tennis court, badminton court, scatting ring, jogging track, fitness club and lawn.

The officials concerned pointed out the problems like creation of posts, initially on contract and later on regular subject to the approval of the competent authority.

The posts required to be created included swimming coach, life guards, coaches for tennis, badminton, squash, table-tennis, basket ball, instructor for fitness centre, filter plant operator, lady receptionist, gardener, sanitary workers, sweepers, and security staff. -APP