The Punjab government is seeking sponsorships from the corporate sector to develop 117 playgrounds in the city on a public-private partnership basis, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The Lahore commissioner has identified the 117 plots in the city that are to be developed and they range in size from 3 kanals to over 51 kanals. Twenty-six of these are in Nishter Town, 19 in Aziz Bhatti Town, 14 in Shalimar Town, 12 in Wagah Town, eight in Allama Iqbal Town, seven in Data Gunj Bakhsh Town, eight in Gulberg Town, three in Samanabad Town and one in Ravi Town.
So far international and local companies have bought publicity rights to 34 plots, according to official documents. They signed deals of between five and seven years with the government to develop the playgrounds, said a senior officer privy to the development.
The Lahore commissioner sent a covering letter and brochures to companies seeking sponsorships. The letter said this would help the companies “fulfil your aspirations to shoulder social responsibilities for promoting positive activities among youth”, said sources in the commissioner’s office. They said the companies were told that the playgrounds would be developed to international standards. “Your contribution will do a great deal in producing future star players for the country by upholding games’ discipline high among common youth. Playgrounds so developed will also be places to hold carnivals of a healthy nature,” the companies were told.
The grounds will include facilities for cricket, football, hockey, volleyball, baseball, tennis, badminton, swimming, athletics and jogging.
The 34 playgrounds for which the government has already succeeded in getting sponsorship including 10 sites of 3-10 kanals, 11 of 11-20 kanals, three of 21-30 kanals, five of 31-40 kanals, one site of 41-50 kanals, and four sites of over 51 kanals.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2011.
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