Rs2,280m Sindh Package proposed for sports infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: The government has introduced Rs2,280 million Sindh Package in the proposed financial budget for the year 2021-2022, to establish sports infrastructure mostly in rural areas, with three different sports development schemes worth Rs700 million for Minister for Interprovincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza’s district Badin.

Besides, a whopping amount of Rs980 million has been proposed in the next budget for the next two years for athlete training camps, hiring of coaches and purchase of equipment with special focus on the 14th South Asian Games Pakistan are to host in 2023. That is besides Rs1,949.505 million proposed for the upgradation of Sports Complex in Islamabad.

The three proposed schemes of the Sindh Package to be initiated in Badin District includes establishment of Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Taluka Badin. The project will cost Rs300 million in all. Another such scheme at Taluka Tando Bagho will cost the same amount and is also meant for the establishment of sport facilities. The establishment of new football ground will cost another Rs100. In all, Rs700 million has been proposed for the establishment of sports facilities in sitting Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Minister’s district.

The other schemes include Rs200 million for the creation of sports facilities in District Ghotki. Multipurpose Sports Complex in Sanghar will cost another Rs300 million. Rs 200 million have been proposed for District Thar Multipurpose Sports Complex. Creation of sports facilities in Hyderabad will cost Rs300 million while Tando Mohammad Khan facilities will consume Rs200 million. Construction of sports facilities in Mirpurkhas (Shuja Abad) will cost another Rs200 million. Another Rs8.8 million has been proposed for an unnamed scheme.

A hefty amount has been proposed for uplift of infrastructure, athletes training for the 14th South Asian Games Pakistan are to host in 2023. Rs520 million in all will be spent this year on the players training and preparation for the South Asian Games.

“Never before in the history of Pakistan sports such a huge amount has been earmarked. Besides the up-gradation work where the huge amount will be spent, special emphasis has been given on athletes training in different sports and preparing them for the forthcoming SA Games Pakistan are to host in less than two-year time,” Mohsin Mushtaq Chandna, secretary Inter Provincial Coordination, said in an exclusive talk with The News.

Another Rs126 million has also been proposed for upgradation of bio-mechanical lab in the vicinity of Sports Complex. Rs472 million have been suggested for laying of artificial hockey turf at Gilgit, Wah, Peshawar and Quetta. Some of these ventures are a continuing process.

Around Rs10 million is set to be released for the unfinished Narowal Sports Complex that has a total cost of over Rs 2,994 million. The boxing gymnasium in Karachi will be given an extra Rs15.221 million for renovation purposes.

Rs1.661 billion has been proposed as the non-development budget for sports with major chunk again going to employees salary, benefits and retirement expenditures. Over Rs827.9 million will be spent alone for the purpose. Rs10.620m has been proposed for grants to federations, subsidies and for write off loans.