KARACHI, Jan 13 City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the City Government will be constructing more hockey grounds in Karachi with proper artificial turfs in order to encourage sports activities at the grassroots level.

Addressing the media here at the official opening of the Olympian Iftikhar Syed Hockey Academy Ground in Gulshan-i-Iqbal on Wednesday, the City Nazim said “This is only the beginning. We will also be constructing such grounds with proper artificial turfs in other parts of the city including one in North Karachi and another in Clifton so that young enthusiasts of the game can benefit from such facilities. There will also be no fee charged from anyone for use of the ground or coaching here.”

Elaborating on the project he said “It is a Rs170 million (17 crore) project. The Desso Turf along with its base itself cost Rs50 million and the 200-plus flood lights cost Rs25 million. Added to this, we will also be constructing a 25-room hostel worth Rs70 million as during his visit here last year, the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia expressed his vision of turning the academy into another hockey camp for the various teams in training before big events.

“Still all this expenditure is nothing when compared to the benefits of seeing so many good players being produced in the years to come as a result of our efforts.”

The occasion was also marked by a festival match between Pakistan Whites and the Karachi XI teams.

Besides Gulshan Town Nazim and Karachi Hockey Association President Wasay Jalil and Olympian Iftikhar Syed, the occasion was also graced by other hockey legends including Islahuddin Siddiqui, Hasan Sardar, Hanif Khan, Salim Sherwani, Ahmed Alam and Imran Ali Warsi.