da betsul： Lahore, October 6: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided todevelop two new stadia and upgrade the Niaz Stadium in addition to RaniBagh Cricket ground that is nearing completion in Hyderabad
Pakistan Cricket Board06-Oct-2002Lahore, October 6: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided todevelop two new stadia and upgrade the Niaz Stadium in addition to RaniBagh Cricket ground that is nearing completion in Hyderabad. Thedecision was taken by the Chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia at thecricket headquarters Saturday evening.The meeting, that was also attended by Director Chishty Mujahid andGeneral Manager Development Irfan Mirza, also took other importantdecisions regarding development that would increase the playingfacilities in the country. Infrastructure development has been on thetop priority of the present PCB setup and already 14 brand new stadiahave been completed while finishing touches are being given to seven.As regards development in Hyderabad, the PCB Chairman assigned IrfanMirza to find suitable land and launch the projects without any delay.The General Manager Development has planned his visit to Hyderabad nextweek to meet the officials of the district cricket official and CityNazim. He would be seeking their support and assistance in that context.The PCB Chairman also expressed his keenness to take over the NiazStadium while observing that if the ground was to be developed andmaintained, the PCB needed to control it. As soon as Niaz Stadium ishanded over to the PCB, plans to bring it at par with other centres likeNational Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium would be launched.The PCB has already held several discussions with the relevant officialsto get possession of the Niaz Stadium. It was hoped in Saturday’smeeting that the matter would end soon so that the cricket starvedfollowers in Hyderabad are no more deprived of international cricket athome.It was also agreed that Minto Park in Lahore will be uplifted because ofits historical prospective and background. The Chairman approved IrfanMirza’s proposal of improving and increasing practice facilities thatinclude nets and pitches. “I want to see better and improved facilitiesat Minto Park because Pakistan cricket has nice memories of this ground.Unfortunately, not much attention has been paid to this centre and Iwould like that it re-emerges as the ground that produced world beatingcricketers,” he told the meeting.The Chairman also approved upgradation plan of Pindi Club Ground inRawalpindi, once a regular test and one-day centre. Upgradation includeplayers dressing room, pavilion and exclusive net practice area.Besides the five major centres, the PCB Chairman also agreed inprinciple to start fresh development or upgradation work on 23 moregrounds. However, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia made it clear that PCB would onlyinvest on these grounds if the local authorities would provide the basiccivic requirements like water and electricity at the venues.The Chairman directed General Manager Development to sign a Memorandumof Understanding with the local associations/institutions/districts inwhich one of the clauses will be that the facility would be available tothe local clubs and cricketers.Last year in the first phase of development programme in lieu ofVision-2005, that is nearing conclusion, the PCB Chairman had givenapproval 51 grounds – 25 new stadia and upgradation of 26.The following grounds would be developed:Punjab: Moeen Cricket Stadium (Sargodha), Islamic University(Bahawalpur), Hafizabad Cricket Ground (Hafizabad), Dera Ghazi KhanStadium (Dera Ghazi Khan), National Defense College (Islamabad), POF WahCricket Ground (Wah), Punjab Cricket Club ground (Lahore), DiamondCricket Club (Islamabad), Bhakar Cricket Stadium (Bhakar), Garrison Park(Sialkot), Cricket Stadium Kasur (Kasur), University Old Campus ground(Lahore).Sindh: Two grounds at Karachi in different zones, two grounds inHyderabad, Niaz Stadium (Hyderabad), Shahi Bagh (Sikarpur)NWFP: Dera Ismail Khan Cricket Ground (Dera Ismail Khan), Kohat Stadium(Kohat), Mardan Cricket Stadium (Mardan), Swat Cricket Stadium (Swat),Manshera Cricket Stadium (Manshera), Swabi Cricket Ground (Swabi).Balochistan: Kalat Cricket Ground (Kalat), Qasim Baloch Cricket Ground(Quetta), Cricket Ground Sibi (Sibi), Mannan Memorial Gymkhana (Kuchlak).
SAMIUL HASAN
G.M MEDIA
October 6, 2002