Just not cricket: CDA ‘gives away’ another cricket ground
Agency’s mismanagement, inability to maintain cited as reasons.
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) has formally taken control of yet another public cricket ground, with the Capital Development Authority seeming accepting that it cannot maintain sporting facilities in the city.
The ground is the ninth out of the total 17 CDA-owned cricket grounds across the city that has been turned over to private individuals or cricket clubs, which has also made these facilities inaccessible for the general public.
The latest victim of the CDA sports wing’s inability to run its affairs is the ground in G-9 Markaz. The CDA has already been flooded with complaints from local residents who are being denied access to the facility by its new occupants.
Notably, the CDA has not signed any formal agreement with the occupant, Margalla Cricket Club (MCC), which is owned by an ICA office bearer. The MCC took control of the ground based on “a verbal commitment from [a senior official of the authority]”.
ICA defends its occupation
“MCC has assumed control of the G-9 cricket ground,” confirmed ICA Secretary Irfan Manzoor.
Manzoor, who also controls cricket grounds in F-11/1 and G-11/1, said control was assumed after informing CDA authorities, but a formal handing over has yet to be held.
He then listed a number of explanations for how the move would boost cricket in the country, while adding that the CDA sports wing was unable to manage such facilities in the city due to lack of funds, untrained staff, corruption within the ranks and other reasons.
Rejecting the impression that locals were denied access to ground, Manzoor said they had been invited to play cricket through the platform of the private club free-of-cost and that only people who used to play football in the cricket ground had been denied entry.
Manzoor said that move was so that the ground would be protected and that the club had started properly maintaining the ground.
He also said that CDA officials who were responsible for taking care of the ground managed let the floodlights and other costly equipment to be stolen while it was under their watch.
“I can assure you the ground is in right hands now. It will help promote of cricket in the country and generate talented players for Pakistan,” Manzoor said.
Private clubs that control nine public grounds in the city charge amounts ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 per match.
CDA’s stance
Talking to The Express Tribune, CDA Sports and Culture Director General Asif Shahjahan said he had prepared a report for submission to Administration Member Amir Ali Ahmad on Wednesday (today), about “illegal occupation of a CDA cricket ground based on a complaint lodged” by residents of the area.
“I will not allow any such attempt and it will be resisted at all levels. At the same time, the CDA chairman can take a decision based on the recommendation of the administration member,” Shahjahan clarified.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2014.
The Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) has formally taken control of yet another public cricket ground, with the Capital Development Authority seeming accepting that it cannot maintain sporting facilities in the city.
The ground is the ninth out of the total 17 CDA-owned cricket grounds across the city that has been turned over to private individuals or cricket clubs, which has also made these facilities inaccessible for the general public.
The latest victim of the CDA sports wing’s inability to run its affairs is the ground in G-9 Markaz. The CDA has already been flooded with complaints from local residents who are being denied access to the facility by its new occupants.
Notably, the CDA has not signed any formal agreement with the occupant, Margalla Cricket Club (MCC), which is owned by an ICA office bearer. The MCC took control of the ground based on “a verbal commitment from [a senior official of the authority]”.
ICA defends its occupation
“MCC has assumed control of the G-9 cricket ground,” confirmed ICA Secretary Irfan Manzoor.
Manzoor, who also controls cricket grounds in F-11/1 and G-11/1, said control was assumed after informing CDA authorities, but a formal handing over has yet to be held.
He then listed a number of explanations for how the move would boost cricket in the country, while adding that the CDA sports wing was unable to manage such facilities in the city due to lack of funds, untrained staff, corruption within the ranks and other reasons.
Rejecting the impression that locals were denied access to ground, Manzoor said they had been invited to play cricket through the platform of the private club free-of-cost and that only people who used to play football in the cricket ground had been denied entry.
Manzoor said that move was so that the ground would be protected and that the club had started properly maintaining the ground.
He also said that CDA officials who were responsible for taking care of the ground managed let the floodlights and other costly equipment to be stolen while it was under their watch.
“I can assure you the ground is in right hands now. It will help promote of cricket in the country and generate talented players for Pakistan,” Manzoor said.
Private clubs that control nine public grounds in the city charge amounts ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 per match.
CDA’s stance
Talking to The Express Tribune, CDA Sports and Culture Director General Asif Shahjahan said he had prepared a report for submission to Administration Member Amir Ali Ahmad on Wednesday (today), about “illegal occupation of a CDA cricket ground based on a complaint lodged” by residents of the area.
“I will not allow any such attempt and it will be resisted at all levels. At the same time, the CDA chairman can take a decision based on the recommendation of the administration member,” Shahjahan clarified.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2014.