ABBOTTABAD: After a ten-year struggle made by veteran hockey players, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finally approved Rs115.21 million for the reconstruction of the Abbottabad Hockey Stadium.

The funds were approved during a meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) for the reconstruction of the stadium and installation of Astro Turf, upgradation of the stadium. The upgradation includes installation of floodlights, new sprinkle system, new stands for spectators, new goal posts, sheds and chairs improvement of sports directorate offices in Abbottabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that in 2017 Abbottabad was part of the federal government’s programme in which six Astro Turfs were to be laid at different stadiums across the city at a cost of Rs532.163 million.

The funds for the project were allocated in three years but unfortunately the Abbottabad Hockey Stadium was totally ignored in this regard.

In December 2020, the KP assembly speaker disclosed that the renovation of the Abbottabad Hockey Stadium and installation of Astro Turf there would start soon and the work would be completed by the first week of June 2021.

After the approval of funds by PDWP, Hazara division will be providing an opportunity to thousands of hockey players of the region and national team to promote the game of hockey.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2021