LDA completes six sports complexes out of 11 approved projects

LAHORE: Out of 11 sports complexes approved in 2017, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has only completed six projects. Five of these complexes were to be constructed on land provided by various government departments while the remaining six were to be built on LDA-owned land. The LDA was also designated as the executing agency for the construction of all 11 sports complexes.

The LDA’s Engineering Wing only completed construction of sports complexes at Sabzazar, Sant Nagar, Tajpura, Gulberg, EME Canal West and Minar-i-Pakistan.

Out of the six completed projects, the sports complex of Sant Nagar was still not operational for the past many months due to which its building and facilities were facing decay and deterioration.

Residents of Sant Nagar, Sandha and adjoining area have demanded the LDA DG Tahir Farooq to personally visit the ‘abandoned’ building of the sports complex. They complained that there were reports of theft from inside the complex while many times drug addicts were also spotted inside sports complex especially at night.

On Wednesday, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of LDA DG Tahir Farooq regarding these sports complexes. In the meeting, the Director Finance and Director Sports gave a detailed briefing.

The director sports informed that there has been a significant increase in the membership of EME West Canal, Minar-e-Pakistan, Sabzazar and Gulberg Sports Complexes. A detailed briefing was given in the meeting about the facilities available in the sports complexes.

LDA DG directed to bring IT-based reforms in sports complexes and digitise records soon. He directed to shift the swimming pools of West Canal, Sabzazar and Gulberg Sports Complex to hot water and build two padel tennis courts in EME West Canal Sports Complex. LDA DG directed to improve the administrative affairs of sports complexes and ensure implementation of SOPs. He said that membership in LDA sports complexes has been made very easy. Best facilities should be provided to members and in this regard complaints will not be tolerated.

The meeting was attended by Additional DG Headquarters, Fourth District, Chief Engineer LDA Israr Saeed, Director Finance Kashif Imran, Director Sports Complexes Khurram Yaqub, Director C&I Kaleem Yousuf and other officers concerned. A senior LDA official said that delay in construction of the remaining sports complexes will result in cost escalation.

These sports complexes have gymnasiums, table tennis facilities, chess and snooker halls, squash court, basketball court, lawn tennis courts, badminton courts and swimming pools and all facilities were constructed separately for men and women. Similarly, children’s play areas, jogging tracks and green areas were also built in these projects.