Ayub Park Complex bustling with healthy sports activities

Rawalpindi

It was not long ago but only two years back, the entire area at the southern side of Ayub National Park along with Jhelum Road was an eyesore and full of marshes and wild bushes. Unkempt bushes and trees filled the buffer line between Jhelum Road and the main Ayub Park.

It was then decided by the Army Heritage Foundation on the directions of Brig Zaman Nasrullah Khan Niazi, Director General Army Heritage Foundation, to develop this entire unused area into a sports complex to create a place for healthy sports activities without disturbing the natural ambiance of the area. The main aim behind this was to bring the youth to the play grounds with very affordable charges keeping in view the general public of the area.

While talking to ‘The News’ here on Friday Director Sports Ayub Park Lt Col Shehzad Mehmood (r) said that we have created a number of sports activities so that the youth and old men alike can benefit from them. Now, in Ramazan, the sports activities have doubled and people love to engage in healthy sports activities after ‘Iftar’. “Our cricket and football grounds light up the night sky and are hired till late at night. All Pakistan Ramazan cricket tournament is the hallmark of Ayub Park now, as it is being organised for the second time with about 128 teams all over Pakistan. There is very positive response and almost jam packed stadium with audience is also success to take people out in Ramazan for a healthy activity till ‘Sehri’ time,” he said.

A first class level cricket ground with the day and night cricket facility has been developed with very nominal booking charges due to which there is cricket on daily basis. The demand of night cricket has gone up because of Ramazan and after ‘Iftar’ the whole ground is lit up and the players play cricket till late night. Apart from regular club level, departments are also enjoying the cricket in the secure environment with families enjoying the cricket. Recently Ayub Park cricket ground also hosted the all Pakistan SOS village cricket tournament. School level cricket is encouraged and many school-level tournaments are held here. “Girls cricket is also encouraged; this is also the only venue where school level girl’s cricket has been organised.

There are 10 net practice pitches along the cricket ground where very nominal charges are taken from different clubs to develop the youth for future,” he said.

The Director Sports Ayub Park Sports Complex said that there are four mini-football fields at Ayub Park with flood light facility out of these three are AstroTurf fields with international standards. Services of best and FIFA qualified coaches are taken for the training of the young kids. There are special Ramazan tournaments and matches in the holy month with flood-light facility.

Lt. Col Shehzad said that we have developed an international standard Motocross Dirt Bike Track with the aim of discouraging one wheeling on main roads and street stunts. Students are youths are encouraged to test their biking skills here and be off the main roads for fatal stunts.

All Pakistan motocross race is organised annually on this track and best bikers participate from all over Pakistan.

In addition to this, Archery range with international standard apparatus is available in the Ayub Park Sports Complex with very nominal charges for everyone coming to park. This range is open for boys and girls of all ages. Paintball and Air Gun Shooting Club for boys and girls of all ages is the only one of its kind in the twin cities. There is Zip Line of international standard has been constructed in the park .This is basically an adventure facility to give confidence and adventure to young ones.

Fishing facility is available in the parks lake at very low rates for the general public and families. For this purpose seeds are regularly put in the lakes.

Yoga classes are organised regularly in the park on daily basis for both ladies and gents.

While talking about the future projects, he said that DG Army Heritage Foundation Brig. Zaman Nasrullah Khan Niazi is determined for further development of the Sports Complex.

The undergoing projects are for hockey Astroturf, basketball ground, gym and other sports facilities.

“The best part of the Sports Complex is that we are determined to develop this facility equally for both genders and provide a secure environment to families where they feel free to take part in the healthy sports activity,” he said.