February 01, 2008	Friday	Muharram 22, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 31: Built at an enormous cost of Rs 2 billion by a Malaysian firm, the day/night 18-hole Defence Authority Country and Golf Club was formally inaugurated on Thursday.

Spread over around 125 acres, the facility is the third in the metropolis which can boast international golfing events after Karachi Golf Club and the Arabian Sea Country Club.

The details pertaining to the project were unfolded by officials of the foreign firm, Sysmax Private Ltd, at a press briefing to journalists at the venue.

Brig (retd) Junaid Anis Khan, who is associated with Sysmax as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said it took a span of three years since Oct 2004 to upgrade and renovate the club to international level.

The Kuala Lumpur-based company which has extended financial and technical assistance under built-operate-transfer (BoT) basis will run the administration of the project for five years before transferring it to the DHA.

Highlighting salient features, he said the club has a 26 bay modern driving range which will remain lit until 10.00pm daily for golfers to practice in addition to festival plaza, club house, children library, karaoke, gymnasium, swimming complex, chalets, squash courts and convention centre.

The retired brigadier said the club plans to organise a golf tournament for corporate sector in March.

The coaching courses for amateur, ladies and youth will also start soon under highly trained professionals, he added.

Chris Tan, Director Business Development of the firm, also spoke briefly and dwelt on technical aspects of the project.