Public cricket grounds: ‘Ungentlemanly’ efforts under way to legalise encroachment

Public being denied access to ground in Sector G-9, CDA might sign MoU to grant control to occupier

ISLAMABAD:

Sometimes well-connected individuals attain so much power that even senior government functionaries find it expedient to blink first.

Instead of retaking possession of a recently encroached sports facility in the heart of the city, the Capital Development Authority has decided to work on retroactively legalising the act.

“It is true that we are considering signing a memorandum of understanding with them (individuals occupying the facility),” said CDA Sports and Culture DG Asif Shahjahan. He added that issues regarding getting back possession have yet to be decided on, before saying he could not share any more details.

In July 2014, the G-9 cricket ground was occupied by an office-bearer of the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) and started commercial club cricket there as the home of Margalla Cricket Club, but only after denying access to the general public, a grave violation of fundamental rights.

In the backdrop of the recent development, the sports directorate of the authority has given up efforts to retrieve possession of its facility. Sources said that the beneficiaries have CDA high ups to thank.

After the issue caught the attention of the media, the CDA claimed it was interested in retaking possession of public cricket ground. Soon, middle management was asked to prepare a notice directing the encroachers to vacate the premises within three days.

The notice was served, but the three days have turned into months.

“It’s been three months since notice was served. Till today, the situation is same,” said a Sports and Culture directorate official while asking not to be named.

Meanwhile, staff was asked to stop pursuing the issue and the file has been lying in the office of a senior officer of the authority, who has still not directed the enforcement wing to take action.

On the other hand, commercial cricket is at its peak at the ground.

The ground is among nine out of the total 17 CDA-owned cricket grounds across the city that have been turned over to private individuals or clubs, a move that has made these facilities inaccessible to the general public.

Also noteworthy is the fact that residents of the area lodged a number of complaints with the CDA against the illegal occupation, saying the administration repeatedly denied them permission to even enter the ground.

ICA Secretary Irfan Manzoor owns Margalla Cricket Club, and thus controls the G-9 cricket ground. He also controls public cricket grounds in F-11/1 and G-11/1. Manzoor told The Express Tribune that he was unaware of the signing of any formal agreement with the CDA.

He said that the ground was in dilapidated condition when the ICA took control of it.

He said that league matches have recently stared at the ground. “The sole purpose [of taking over the ground] is to promote professional cricket in the country,” Manzoor said. He claimed the CDA itself requested ICA to take possession of cricket ground.

Who’s who

Of the other public cricket grounds in private hands, one in Sector F-7/1 is run by former swing bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz, while the one on Margalla Road near Saidpur is with his former captain Majid Khan.

Control of the cricket ground in Sector G-7 Markaz is with former ICA office bearer Ibrar Rizvi, while control of the F/7-3 and G-8/2 cricket grounds is with one Mr Shabir, and ICA President Shakil Sheikh respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2014.