THERE was a time when youngsters from Khairpur used to win district-level badminton tournaments. They were mostly the products of , where there were three badminton courts along with some other sports facilities. A huge crowd often gathered to witness those tournaments.

Recently the gymkhana building has been demolished to construct a brand new gymkhana, where I have heard only a single badminton court will be made. Since it's an officers' club no ordinary citizen — including students — will be able to showcase their talent there.

Instead of promoting sports among our youth we are doing the opposite. There would be no harm if the authorities concerned made a couple of extra badminton courts on the gymkhana premises and ordinary citizens were charged a nominal fee for using the courts.

M. BILAL SOOMRO
Karachi