LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has completed only six out of eleven sports complexes that were approved in 2017, according to official reports.
Under the plan, five complexes were to be built on land provided by different government departments, while six were to be constructed on LDA’s own land. The LDA was made the executing agency for all projects.
So far, the Engineering Wing has completed sports complexes in Sabzazar, Sant Nagar, Tajpura, Gulberg, EME Canal West, and Minar-i-Pakistan. However, the Sant Nagar Sports Complex remains non-functional for several months, leading to the deterioration of its building and facilities.
Residents of Sant Nagar, Sandha, and nearby areas have urged LDA Director General Tahir Farooq to visit the neglected site, claiming that incidents of theft and the presence of drug addicts have been reported, especially at night.
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An important meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of LDA DG Tahir Farooq to review the status of all sports complexes. During the meeting, the Directors of Finance and Sports gave detailed briefings. The Director Sports informed that membership has increased notably at the EME West Canal, Minar-i-Pakistan, Sabzazar, and Gulberg complexes.
The LDA DG directed officials to introduce IT-based reforms, digitise records, and shift the swimming pools at West Canal, Sabzazar, and Gulberg to hot water systems. He also ordered the construction of two padel tennis courts at the EME West Canal Sports Complex, improvement of administrative affairs, and strict implementation of SOPs.
He emphasised that membership procedures in LDA sports complexes have been simplified and that no complaints regarding poor facilities will be tolerated.
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The meeting was attended by Additional DG Headquarters, Chief Engineer Israr Saeed, Director Finance Kashif Imran, Director Sports Complexes Khurram Yaqub, Director C&I Kaleem Yousuf, and other senior officers.
An LDA official warned that the delay in completing the remaining sports complexes would lead to an increase in construction costs.
Each sports complex includes gymnasiums, table tennis halls, chess and snooker rooms, squash and basketball courts, lawn tennis and badminton courts, swimming pools, and separate facilities for men and women. In addition, children’s play areas, jogging tracks, and green spaces were also part of the plan.
