Sports biggest loser in budget

ISLAMABAD: Sports turned out to be the biggest loser in the federal budget 2015-2016 with no single fresh infrastructure project proposed by the government.
The government however has expressed its willingness to continue financial support for the four running projects that include construction of sports complex in Narowal (Rs450 million), holding of National Games (Rs137 million), improvement of ski slope at Nultar (Rs20.553), and laying of synthetic hockey turf at Gilgit (Rs 2.000). Total amount of Rs609.153 million would be spent on these running projects that started during the previous fiscal years.
Though the Ministry of Sports has already been devolved with the provinces from 2010 onward, prerogative still lies with the federal government to initiate mega sports infrastructure development projects and schemes in effort to spread sports facilities throughout the country. This fall however not a single mega or minor infrastructure project or scheme has been launched despite the fact that Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) proposed 15 different projects and schemes for the next fiscal year with all failing to get the green signal.
The proposed projects and schemes include construction of boxing gymnasium in Karachi, construction of gymnasium in Hassanabdal, provision of floodlights at the Naseer Bunda Stadium Islamabad. The proposed schemes also included the laying of artificial turf in Muzafarabad (as directed by PM) and at the Shadeed Sarwar Ground in Gujar Khan.
Establishment of Sports University in the Pakistan Sports Complex vicinity was proposed. Purchase of CCTV system and adopting other security measures for the Pakistan Sports Complex was also on card. Rs58 million was sought for the construction of Sports Stadium in terror-hit area of South Waziristan Agency.
Not single out of the fifteen projects and schemes proposed to Planning Division for the next fiscal year was approved, thus no sports infrastructure development project for the year 2015-16 is on cards.