Construction of sports hostel begins in Rawalpindi

Official says facility has capacity to accommodate over 100 players

RAWALPINDI:

The construction of a sports hostel at Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex has been started.

Project Director Nadeem Anwar and Deputy Director Development Rauf Bajwa visited Rawalpindi and inspected various projects, including Liaquat Bagh. They also directed officials concerned to complete the construction of the hostel on time.

The cost of the project will be Rs100 million and over 100 players will be able to stay in the hostel. A boundary wall and main gate of the fitness gym alongside a sports hostel will also be constructed.

A borehole will be dug to end the water shortage problem for the players. A monitoring committee headed by District Sports Officer (DSO) Shams Tauheed Abbasi has also been set up which will oversee timely construction of the hostel.

According to the sources, the hotel would accommodate over 100 players, who would avail all the facilities in the hostel during their stay.

Read Hostels for working women on the cards

There was no hostel for the players in the district for various sports competitions at the local, divisional, provincial, and national levels. The players were accommodated in private hotels or government quarters.

Earlier, District Sports Board officials said that the hostel to be constructed at Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex will have separate accommodation for female athletes, while in future this hostel will be used for international athletes’ tool.

The hostel will also have indoor facilities, including kitchen and mess, while a mini gym will be set up to provide the best facilities to the players.

Senior players, coaches and other staff will also be allowed to stay in the hostel, officials said, adding that transport facilities will also be provided to the players from the Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex to the relevant ground.

The officials said talks with Rescue 1122 and the local health authority administration are expected soon to provide medical coverage to the teams and players staying at the hostel, which will make it easier for the players to get timely medical help in any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2021.