MCI seals cricket ground in Sector F-7

Islamabad

The office of the first ever Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz is out to play havoc with the cricket facilities in the federal capital as the enforcement wing of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on Thursday morning sealed a first class cricket ground in sector F-7.

The action was taken at a time when a cricket match of the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) was about to start at the National Cricket Ground of Sector F-7. The enforcement wing of MCI, earlier made a few attempts to seal the ground late Wednesday evening but left without carrying out any operation due to presence of media at the site.

The action is being considered as an anti-public action on part of the mayor who is considered as ‘Father of the City’.

The sources said the operation was undertaken allegedly at the behest of a close aide of the mayor who had some vested interests in grounds while his own son is also a cricketer.

Over 150 personnel of the MCI accompanied by Police reached the site, forced cricketers who were warming up for the match, out of the ground and sealed the facility which have been staging first class and local cricket matches for the last over a decade.

The action on part of MCI triggered anger among cricketers and residents who staged a protest demonstration. As a result, the Double Road between the ground and F-7 Markaz remained blocked for few hours causing traffic jam there. They raised slogans against the mayor demanding de-sealing of the ground.

Now the MCI plans to take over eight more cricket ground into its possession which would result putting an end to cricket activities in the federal capital.

“We plan to take over a total of nine cricket grounds in Islamabad,” Chief Metropolitan Officer Asad Kiani when contacted said saying they also plan to generate revenue from the grounds.

Asad Kiani said the lease of grounds was cancelled during the month of May, this year but the grounds were not retrieved by the CDA. He claimed that they would also be able to maintain all the cricket grounds.

However, he rejected an allegation that the operation was undertaken allegedly at behest of a close aide of the mayor.

The National Cricket Ground is among half a dozen grounds which were created as alternate to grounds during the years 2005-2006 as alternate to grounds which were falling in right of way of the 7th and 9th avenues following directives by the Senate standing committee on Sports and Culture.

As per directives of the Senate standing committee, the grounds were handed over to the respective clubs and ICA for purpose of cricket activities and maintenance.

Since then the cricket clubs and ICA have been maintaining these grounds in a professional manner which is lacked by the MCI and the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The creation of new cricket grounds also increased international and national cricket activity in the federal capital while the facilities also produced many national and first class cricketers.

The residents have questioned as to how the Municipal Corporation Islamabad would be able to maintain these ground when the directorates of parks, environment and sports have not been able to upkeep parks and play grounds under their control. There are also reports of thefts of chairs, benches, electric wires and many other items from parks and playing grounds from time to time.

“You will not have to wait for months as the MCI staff itself will deteriorate the cricket facilities in the next few weeks,” Abid Ali, a resident of the area who was watching enforcement wing’s operation said.