ISLAMABAD, June 6: The Government has allocated a sum of Rs 313.973 million for various development projects of which six are new, according to the Public Sector Development Programme 2005- 06.

The figure first reported in Dawn on May 31, covers the construction of a new sports complex in Mardan for which Rs 5.136 million have been earmarked.

Other new ventures are installation of synthetic hockey pitches at Rawalakot (Rs 4.393 m) and Khushab (Rs 28.865 m) and converting the Old Airport Terminal Building at Lahore into a world class sports complex (Rs 6.000 m).

For the renovation and repair of Pakistan Sports Board’s Coaching Centre at Quetta, Rs 9.557 have been allocated while Rs 10.000 m will go towards the construction of still unapproved sports complex in Sialkot.

Brig. Arif Mahmud Siddiqui, the chief of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) said that in January 2004, the Board had as many as 51 projects approved with work on about half of them currently on.

He pointed out that never before had so many projects been approved in Pakistan’s sports history.

Projects and allocations (in million) for the financial year 2005-06: New projects: Construction of sports complex Mardan 5.136 Conversion of Old Terminal Building of Lahore Airport into a world class sports complex 6.000 Laying of synthetic hockey turf at Rawalakot 4.393 Laying of synthetic hockey turf at Khushab 28.865 Repair and renovation of PSB Coaching Centre Quetta 9.557 Construction of sports complex Sialkot (Un-app) 10.000

On-going projects: Construction of sports complex Sadiqabad 11.000 Construction of boxing gymnasium Islamabad 23.895 Construction of boxing gymnasium Lahore 24.595 Construction of boxing gymnasium Peshawar 24.595 Construction of sports stadium Skardu 10.000 Construction of boxing gymnasium Quetta 24.595 Construction of boxing gymnasium Karachi 24.595 0 - Construction of stadium at Courts Ground Haripur 7.000 Construction of sports stadium Thatta 21.000 Construction and improvement of tennis courts/hockey ground at Qayyum Stadium Peshawar 2.600 Construction of sports stadium Charsadda 6.928 Provision of facilities at Qazi Mohib Hockey Stadium Bannu 6.000 Construction of sports stadium Lakki Marwat 6.980 Construction of playground at Hangu 4.492 Construction of football stadium at Kharan 2.681 Construction of football stadium at Pishin 3.681 Construction of sports stadium Jhang 15.851 Construction of sports stadium Lodhran 7.534 Construction of sports stadium Badin 22.000