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The Cricket Centre Pakistan (CCP) located in Defence Housing Authority, Phase VI, has launched an ambitious Rs223million expansion project to upgrade and improve its infrastructure while hoping that it would become operational by June 2003.

The CCP, which only had a cricket ground that hosted the 1993-94 Test between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, plans to construct a bowling alley, an auditorium for seminars, six indoor cricket nets, multi- purpose indoor courts for basketball, badminton, three tennis courts, Olympic standard swimming pool, three squash courts and fitness gymnasium on the 10 acre land out of which six has been consumed by the cricket field.

In addition to this, the seating capacity of the cricket ground would be doubled from 7,000 to 14,000. In a later stage, the ground would be equipped with floodlights. "We decided to upgrade the complex because our source of income from the cricket ground was not enough to either attract multi-nationals or look after the maintenance or include additional facilities. But once the complex becomes operational, we will bid to host international matches besides making the ground available for domestic matches," CCP chief executive Abdul Wahab said.

The CCP had applied for a Rs 332 million loan from Bank Al-Habib and has been released Rs 223 million. However, the bank has promised to release more funds in the later stages as the initial cost of renovation is estimated to be around Rs 340 million. "Once the complex becomes operational, we are hoping that the annual turn-over from it would be around Rs10million through membership and sponsorship," Wahab said.

The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has leased out the land to Wahab on a 90-year lease. "CCP is not on a commercial plot. It comes in the amenity plot that also includes hospitals, clubs, parks, grounds, etc," Wahab clarified.

However, the only grey area in an attractive project is that it will not be possible for common man use the facilities. "A common man will only be entitled to use bowling alley and cricket ground. The rest of the facilities will be strictly for the club members," Wahab said.

The over 11million populated city doesn't have a single multi- purpose complex where the general public go and spend time with their families. For any healthy society, such sports complexes are a must. Hopefully, the newly elected Karachi City Government will take some lessons from the CCP and will create facilities for the common man.

© Dawn