Karachi's youth cut off from playgrounds

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." The following adage is often used to highlight the importance of physical activity and recreation for the overall growth and well-being of school going children. However, when opportunities for engaging in sports after school escape the affordability of the masses, many children in the port city will have to live pretty dull lives.

Despite the presence of nearly 239 sports grounds across the East, South, Malir and Korangi districts of Karachi, almost no sports facilities are available for the low to middle-income children, since the majority of complexes demand a hefty fee from their members hence escaping the limit of affordability for the masses. As a result, the majority of the youth are forced to play in the streets, neighbourhoods and public parks of their localities, which not only causes problems to the common people but also hinders the flow of traffic in the city.

For instance, Malhar Khan, a second-year student from Saddar, revealed that he and his friends used to play cricket at a private ground located in Garden after paying a hefty fee. "However, since the past few months, we have started playing cricket at the Polo Ground Park since we can no longer afford to pay the exorbitant fee that the private ground demanded," said Khan.

Arif Hussain, a citizen who takes a stroll in the Frere Hall Park, told the Express Tribune that he comes here every evening for a walk and spots several youngsters playing cricket. "On Sundays and other holidays, different groups of youngsters play cricket throughout the park. Due to this reason, not only are joggers bothered but families visiting the park for recreation also have to face disturbance," said Hussain.

According to official data obtained by the Express Tribune, there are a total of 46 sports complexes and grounds in East District, out of which more than 36 are being run on a commercial basis, with daily charges ranging between Rs25,000 and Rs35,000. Similarly, there are a total of 35 grounds and sports complexes in South District, all of which are being run on a commercial basis including Karachi Club, Karachi Gymkhana and sports complexes and playgrounds managed by DHA, which cost anywhere between Rs35,000 to Rs50,000 per day.

Furthermore, more than 90 per cent of 41 sports grounds located in Korangi and Malir district alongside 24 sports complexes in Kemari district too are run by private entities with costs ranging between Rs10,000 to Rs25,000.

According to Ibrahim Hingoro, a sports events organizer from Lyari, there is not a single ground for cricket in the Lyari area, due to which the youth have to travel to other parts of the city to play cricket. "The youth of Lyari practice cricket on normal days at the polo ground near the Governor House, whereas when they have to play a match or tournament, they have to rent a ground in Nazimabad and other areas, which costs up to Rs30,000 per day. Due to such heavy charges, children can only play a cricket match or tournament once a year," said Hingoro, who further noted that many children were forced to play cricket in public parks.

"In some areas government grounds are also run on a commercial basis, due to which youngsters are seen playing in public parks. Hence many public parks in the city have been converted into playgrounds," opined Muhammad Tawheed, an urban planner.

The Express Tribune tried contacting the Secretary of the Sports Department, Jalaluddin Mehr to inquire about the shortage of government playgrounds but he refused to respond.