PESHAWAR: The PTI-led coalition government is lagging behind on its target of constructing sports stadiums in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as announced by PTI Chief Imran Khan. The government has only constructed 34 stadiums in 77 tehsils of the province during three and half years while 27 stadiums only exist as paper work.
According to information provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Department, work on 43 stadiums/grounds is still to be started. Also, the construction of sports grounds at tehsils of Rajjar, Bahrain, Dar and Gagara has been approved but the funds for these projects have not been released.
Moreover, work on sports stadiums at Tehsil Dargai, Timergara, Adezai, Khal, Manshera, Peshawar Town-I,II and III would start soon after funds for the projects are released.
Land selected for construction of sports stadiums at tehsil Paharpur and Wari has been declared disputed while land is yet to be acquired for construction of sports stadiums at tehsil Batagram, Alpuri, Dasu and Jobeda even though funds have been released to the deputy commissioners for acquiring lands for these projects.
Moreover, land has been acquired for construction of stadiums at tehsil Swabi, Matta, Poran and Rajar but funds for these projects are yet to be released.
Land for construction of sports stadiums at tehsil Kalkot, Barawal, Khal, Kandia, Palas and Balakot has not been identified yet and the projects exist on paper only.
Moreover, at least 40 kanal land is required for construction of a stadium at tehsil level. However, some sports grounds have been constructed on less than 40 kanals in mountainous areas of the province. One of the major sports grounds is being constructed on 70 kanals in tehsil Kabaal Swat while a small sports ground is being built on 16 kanals in tehsil Charbagh in Swat district.
Official sources informed media that delays in release of funds and monitoring by watch dogs have slowed the pace of work regarding construction of sports stadiums in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said that most of the senior officials were avoiding the processing of files in fear of their negligence coming to light in front of accountability commissions.
Sports fans and former sportspersons have expressed great concern over the delay of work on these stadiums and have demanded the PTI-led government to quickly release funds and ensure an atmosphere conducive to the quick completion of these projects.
