Floodlights, synthetic turfs work at PSB Karachi centre delayed

KARACHI: The installation of floodlights and the laying of two mini synthetic turfs at the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) centre in Karachi are yet to be completed although a couple of months have passed after the deadline.

The floodlight towers were installed around the football ground and the athletic track more than four months ago, but the floodlights haven’t been installed so far. Besides, the work at the site of two mini synthetic turfs, one for Hockey5 and the other for futsal, is moving at a snail’s pace.

According to sources, the mini turfs project should have been completed in June. The two mini turfs have to be imported. The sources said that the delay in the completion of the project is lack of funds. Since the annual budget, no funds have been released.

Meanwhile, some other development work, including the flooring of the pathways and footpaths from the main gates, has been completed. The 35th National Games will be held in Karachi in December. Many contests are to be held at the PSB centre.

Moreover, the installation of the new tartan track for athletics has also been delayed for a long time. The existing track at the centre is 28 years old. The sports fraternity of different disciplines appealed to the Ministry of IPC as well as the PSB administration that the installation of floodlights be completed as soon as possible.

A group of athletes said that tartan track should also be replaced immediately. They were of the view that due to the old tartan track, no big athletic competitions are possible at the centre.