KARACHI, July 23: The Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) has deprived scores of players of healthy activity by abruptly demolishing the basketball court on Kashmir Road, it emerged on Tuesday.

“The premises has served as a hub of game for a large number of players in the adjoining areas since the early 70s,” a dejected Mohammad Raza Agha, who has remained associated with the facility since its commissioning as an honorary coach, told Dawn.

He was critical of the KMC officials for ruining the decades old court — which included a pavilion, a changing room and the floodlights — without informing or providing an alternate premises.

The players who used to practice at Kashmir Road belonged to Bounce Club, Gulshan Hawks, Askari IV Club, Sir Syed Club, Askari Club Malir Cantt, besides institutions such as CMB, Iqra and medical colleges.

Raza, also a former player, disclosed that he had spent millions of rupees in arranging cables for floodlights, generator, construction of changing room, etc besides meeting regular expenses from his own pocket.

He called upon the government officials to look into the issue and order reconstruction and restoration of the facility soon in the larger interest of the society and its health.

Despite efforts, no official of the KMC could be reached for comments over the demolition of the court.