PESHAWAR: Secretary Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Abid Majeed on Wednesday said the Arbab Niaz Stadium will be a key, modern and magnificent addition to the cricketing world because of its unique, unmatched facilities after its completion.

Abid said this during a press conference soon after inspecting the phase of work.

Deputy Director Sports Development Niamatullah Marwat, Deputy Director Sports Azizullah Jan, General Secretary AIPS Asia Amjad Aziz Malik, President Sports Writers Association KP Ijaz Ahmad Khan and a number of other members of sports writers body were also present on the occasion.

Accompanied with Director General Sports Asfandyar Khan Khattak, Secretary Sports Abid Majeed said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has directed him to have a complete look over the phase of work, so that to ensure timely completion of the Arbab Niaz Stadium.

“We are hopeful enough to hold two or three matches of the Pakistan Super League at the most picturesque cricket ground of the Hayatabad Sports Complex in February next year, if the work at the Arbab Niaz Stadium is not completed on time,” Abid informed.

“The officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had a detailed visit of the cricket ground of Hayatabad Sports Complex and they pointed out three to four facilities, the ground has lacked including players dressing rooms, media boxes, electronic scoreboard and boundary wall,” he said.

“We are very grateful to the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan for taking a prompt action and approving Rs300 million to make the venue at par with international standards,” he added. He said in addition to Rs300 million, Rs400 million have been released to the contractors of the Arbab Niaz Stadium for its timely completion.

About the opening of grounds, gym and health clubs, he said: “We know players, coaches, sports promoters and organisers of gymnasiums and health clubs have badly suffered due to lockdown. We have sent SOPs to the federal government for approval and we are hopeful the same would be approved soon.”

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2020