Landhi-Korangi sports complex opening next month

KARACHI: Landhi-Korangi sports complex which was completed more than four years ago would finally be opened in April, a KMC official told ‘The News’ on Friday. 

The KMC failed to open the sports complex despite repeated promises due to the lethargic attitude of the high-ups.

One of the reasons given for not opening the sports complex was lack of trained staff.

A high official of the Culture, Sports and Recreation (CSR) department confirmed that around 40 employees of various other departments had been transferred and posted at the Landhi-Korangi sports complex. Thus, there was no hurdle in its opening, he added.

Senior director CSR Saif Abbas confirmed that the issue of lack of staffers had been resolved and the complex would be opened in April.

Budding sportspersons and people of Landhi, Korangi and adjoining areas remained unable to use the state-of-the-art sports complex but now the long wait is over, Saif said. 

The construction work was completed in 2013 after 22 long years.

The complex has indoor and outdoor facilities of various disciplines, including tennis, badminton, swimming, table tennis, roller skating, squash, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts and snooker.

He claimed that the residents and sports lovers of Landhi and Korangi would soon find themselves in a sports paradise.

The sports complex project was initiated in 1987, but was completed after more than two decades.

The sports complex has been developed to provide basic sports facilities to the talented boys and girls of the locality so that they might play and practise near their homes.

A deputy director will be in charge of the complex, sources in the sports department said. 

The sources mentioned that there would be both male and female swimming coaches. Days will be reserved for women swimming. A life guard will also be appointed.