Funds earmarked for 21 sports projects

Govt has allocated Rs1.45 billion for these initiatives

MULTAN: The Punjab government has earmarked Rs1.45 billion for 21 sports schemes in the recent budget for the Multan division.

Divisional Sports Officer Rana Nadeem Anjum said that funds have been allocated for ongoing and new projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). He stated that work had begun on some of the schemes while surveys were being conducted and sites identified for the rest. The project management unit and the building department would complete the uplift schemes, he added.

He maintained that a total of 21 schemes from the Multan division, including five in Multan, three in Lodhran, seven in Khanewal and six in Vehari districts, were selected in the ADP. The sports scheme for Multan division included the construction of a mini sports complex in Multan at a cost of Rs72.508 million, the construction of a cricket ground in Multan at a cost of Rs74.75 million, a hockey ground in Multan for Rs130 million, a tehsil sports complex in Shujabad for Rs60 million and a multipurpose parking plaza.

Similarly, in Lodhran, a new stadium will be constructed in Dunyapur at a cost of Rs77 million, a stadium at Kahror Pakka for Rs95 million and a tehsil sports complex at Dunyapur for Rs60 million.

In Khanewal, a cricket ground with floodlights will be established at Government High School Kabirwala at a cost of Rs74.75 million, a kabbadi and volleyball ground will be developed in Chak No-95/15-L Mian Channu for Rs13.571 million, a cricket and football ground in Jehanian at a cost of Rs74.75 million, a new sports complex in Abdul Hakeem for Rs154.75 million, a cricket ground at municipal stadium Mian Channu for Rs74.75 million, a tehsil sports complex at Jehanian for Rs60 million and missing facilities will be provided at a gymnasium for Rs54.85 million.

In Vehari, a stadium will be constructed at Gaggo Mandi at a cost of Rs38.294 million, a cricket ground will be developed at Chak 45/WB at a cost of Rs74.750 million, a sports complex will be constructed at Ludden for Rs74.75 million, a cricket ground at Khursheed Anwar stadium for Rs74.75 million, renovation of Mailsi stadium for Rs38.75 million and a cricket ground in Burewala for Rs38.752 million.

The official maintained that the sports schemes will be completed by the end of the ongoing fiscal year. He said one of the mega projects included in the schemes involved laying astroturf at a hockey ground in Multan. He maintained that after completing the project, hockey players will hopefully be able to boost their game.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2019.