KP govt plans to construct over 1,000 playgrounds

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has planned to construct over 1,000 playgrounds and state-of-the-art sports complexes in the next five years in the province.

This was stated by Director General Sports, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Junaid Khan while speaking at Meet-the-Press Programme at the Peshawar Press Club here on Friday.

He said the government was taking measures for the promotion of sports activities across the province, under which it had completed construction of 55 playgrounds out of a target of 75 at tehsil level.

The official said that sports events would start in the tribal districts by April 18 in which more than 28 games would be played.

He hoped the 33rd national games would be held in Peshawar.

The official added that Rs150 million would be spent on the national games for which preparations have been initiated.

Junaid Khan hoped that the refurbishment of the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs150 million by June 30 next year.

He said the second national level cricket academy would be established at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar to groom the talented players in the province.

The official added the revamping of Arbab Niaz Stadium and establishment of the cricket academy would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs3.38 billion.

He said space would be available for more than 32,000 spectators after revamping of the stadium.

Junaid Khan expressed his optimism for holding next season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Younas Khan Cricket Stadium in North Waziristan, for which arrangements have been started.

Flanked by the Peshawar Press Club president Syed Bukhar Shah, general secretary Zafar Iqbal, Khyber Union of Journalists president Fida Khattak, general secretary Mohammad Naeem and sportswriters, the DG Sports said that the KP had been hosting under-23 games for the last three years and under 33rd national games in the province.