LAHORE: Continuing the decades-old policy of building new sports infrastructure without devising a plan for their operation, including proper coaching staff, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Ayub Khokhar announced plans to construct 300 sports grounds and overhaul 113 existing sports facilities.

Also, the ministry aims to establish 20 new e-libraries across the province.

The decision was taken after a high-profile meeting held at the Punjab Stadium on Monday.

“Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Ayub Khokhar stated that the Punjab Sports Department will construct 300 sports grounds across the province. Our objective is to establish 20 new e-libraries in various parts of the province.

Furthermore, new sports complexes will be built in 18 tehsils of Punjab, with a total of 113 out of 322 sports infrastructures set for overhaul,” an announcement from the Sports Department said.

For the past two decades, since the establishment of the sports ministry in Punjab in 2003-04, significant investments have been made in laying down new sports infrastructure.

However, there has been a lack of comprehensive planning regarding their operation under a proper coaching system and staff, resulting in many stadiums remaining closed throughout the year, rarely open for any activities.

Secretary to Sports and Youth Affairs Muzaffar Khan Sial and Director General of Punjab Sports Pervez Iqbal joined the sports department a couple of weeks ago.

They provided an in-depth briefing on mega sports projects, the sports calendar, the endowment fund, and departmental targets to the newly appointed sports minister, who also assumed office a couple of weeks ago.

“The Chief Minister Internship Programme will be initiated in Punjab, and the establishment of the first Sports City is under consideration in Lahore. Additionally, seven sports projects are scheduled for inauguration in the near future, and 16 development sports schemes will be completed within the next three months,” the Sports Department said.

“The Sports Endowment Fund process was thoroughly reviewed, and under the Sports Endowment Fund, every possible assistance will be provided to deserving players from across the province.”

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024