ISLAMABAD: Originally established to promote healthy activities among the area’s youth, the Capital Development Authority’s G-7 hockey ground is a sight of utter neglect.

The ground was upgraded in 2006 with a million rupee budget. During the upgradation, the civic authority installed 36 floodlights, 12 field lights, two goal nets and grills around the entire ground. But now, however, almost all the facilities are missing.

“I still remember the night in 2006 when the CDA inaugurated this ground and organised a hockey match... but the CDA left the ground at the mercy of criminals, who stole all of its facilities,” Mohammad Qayoom, a businessman in Sitara Market, said.

Sector G-7 houses hundreds of government employees from grades 1 to 10.

Costly lights, grills and nets have been stolen from the ground

“The condition of the ground speaks volumes about the CDA’s inefficiency… this is sheer injustice to the poor government employees and the sector’s other residents,” said an interior ministry employee, who lives in the area.

Dozens of youngsters in sectors G-6 and G-7 are turning to drugs and the number of addicts is growing.

In Qadria and Gulshan markets, and in the slums of G-7, young heroin addicts are a typical sight.

“No doubt Sector G-7 is a hub of drug dealers… during the last month I have arrested at least seven, including the notorious Zakir and Ali Baba,” said Assistant Sub-Inspector at the Aabpara police station Khuram Shahzad.

Nazakat Ali, a resident, told Dawn that providing sports facilities to the youth could keep them away from drugs.

“In 2006, the then CDA chairman, Kamran Lashari, inaugurated the ground. On the opening day, we enjoyed a hockey match. At that time we thought the ground would produce a number of professional hockey players, but nothing happened,” said Mohammad Ayaz, a college student.Currently, the hockey ground is being used for many activities such as cricket, volleyball, football, card games and even rooster fights.

Talking to Dawn, CDA Sports Officer Chaudhry Shahzad said: “I agree that costly lights, grills and nets have been stolen from the ground.”

“Let me assure you, we will not leave the ground abandoned anymore. We are preparing a report on what has been stolen from our grounds, and then we will go to the police,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2014