NEC approves construction of 100 stadiums in country

ISLAMABAD: National Economic Council (NEC) has approved construction of 100 stadiums in the country with the whopping amount of Rs 2500 million-the cost of which will b shared equally by centre and provinces, The News has learnt exclusively.

The NEC, headed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has given go- ahead for the construction of stadiums/arenas, approving the centre share of cost worth Rs 1250 million. Though it is not clear yet as these stadiums would cater the needs of which sports, the decision to raise the playing arenas is taken to broaden the infrastructure at grassroots level.

Barring a few districts where there is penalty of sports infrastructure is available the new scheme would cater the needs of all the districts. The NEC also given go ahead to the release of Rs 1000 million during this physical year for the project. Though it is still is unapproved project, the matter will be discussed Centre Development Working Party (CDWP) after the required approval of the Parliament. There is a good news for the struggling national game hockey as the NEC has also given go-ahead to construction of arena and replacing the Bunda Ground artificial turf in Islamabad.

The project would cost Rs 150 million with the entire amount to be released this year.Construction of football ground at Chaman would be another new project in the sports development projects. Rs 25 million will be the cost of the project.

A scheme with the name of Promotion of Sports and Regaining Pride will also be initiated this year. Rs100million has been sanctioned forth for the project. However, this year Rs 30 million will be released. The NEC has also given go ahead to the renovation and up gradation of Pakistan Sports Complex facilities with the total cost of Rs 500 million. For the coming physical year Rs 100million would be released for the purpose. Besides these five new schemes, new installment for the ten old schemes would also be released.