Sports complexes in Rawalpindi are getting a new facelift after five years with the addition of a swimming pool, new gym and a hostel for players visiting the city to take part in different games.

There are two main sports complexes managed by the Punjab government - Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex and Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex. Now, the government has started work to upgrade these complexes and added some new facilities.

There was a strong need for the establishing more sports facilities in the garrison city which has been losing its open spaces and playgrounds in the name of development.

People from various segments of society have been drawing attention of the government towards establishment of new facilities such as a gym, swimming pool or other facilities. During the district-wise sports competitions, there was no place for participating teams to stay for three to four days and they had to spend nights in private hotels or in schools and colleges.

In the last decade, many playgrounds disappeared in the name of development and remaining ones were close to being wiped out due to neglect of the civic authorities. In Rawalpindi, there was only one swimming pool in Roomi Park in front of Military Hospital which was closed by Rawalpindi Cantonment Board for the establishment of a food court.

“We used to play in the open spaces at Race Course Ground, Saidpur Road Football Stadium, Muslim High School, Gordon College, Mission High School, Asghar Mall College and so many other sites. But the new generation is busy in social media which is wastage of time,” said Mohammad Arslan, a resident of Chaklala Scheme-III.

Children and youngsters have other story to tell. They are of the view that open spaces have gradually disappeared in the city and children have started finding roads a better venue for playing cricket or football.

“There are many gyms in the garrison city which charged more than Rs3,500 to Rs10,000 per month and the common man could not afford it. There is a need the government should start such facilities for youngsters at affordable fees,” said Mohammad Pervaiz, a college student.

Talking to Dawn, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that the sports complexes had been upgraded in the district to provide quality sports opportunities to youth.

“The swimming pool is almost completed in the sports complex at Liaquat Bagh at a cost of Rs98.2 million as it was the demand of the people,” he said.

He said that the hostel for players was also completed and will accommodate more than 25 sportsmen.

Mr Cheema said that promotion of sports had been given special importance in the government’s priorities because through it we can nurture healthy competition among our children.

In this regard, he said the sports department would play an important role in promoting sports and engaging the youth in positive activities.

He said that engaging the youth in physical sports and providing them with opportunities was the government responsibility. He said due to lack of sports opportunities, the youth spend most of their free time on computers, mobile phones and other technology-related items.

He said that the provincial government had already upgraded Shehbaz Sharif Complex in Shamsabad, Municipal Football Stadium and Shehnaz Sheikh Hockey Stadium at Saidpur Road. He said there was a plan to provide more facilities for the youth.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024