KARACHI: The Sports and Youth Affairs Department of the Sindh Government has upgraded 10 sports complexes across the province and given them the status of regular sports clubs.
In this regard, two separate meetings were held at the Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mehar regarding the conversion of sports complexes into clubs and the formation of a provincial cricket team in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The first meeting was attended by former national captain Younis Khan, Sadiq Muhammad, Secretary Sports Munawar Ali Mahesar and others, where detailed consultations were held on the selection of players for the Sindh team to participate in the Pakistan Cup. Sports Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mehar directed that the team be formed on merit.
On this occasion, former Test captain Younis Khan said that Sindh has immense talent in cricket, which can be highlighted at the national level by providing appropriate opportunities. The second meeting was attended by Secretary Sports Munawar Ali Mahesar, Director Asad Ishaq, Chief Engineer Muhammad Aslam Mehr and other officers, where approval was given to give the status of sports clubs to 10 sports complexes and instructions were given that quality facilities and membership opportunities should be provided to the youth in these clubs.
Sports Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mehr said that with the establishment of sports clubs, the youth will be provided with modern sports and fitness facilities including gym, walking track, e-library, padel and badminton courts, while additional facilities like swimming pools will also be provided in Hyderabad and Gulistan-e-Jauhar clubs.
He said that through these facilities, the youth will get professional coaching and better opportunities to move forward. Mehar further said that common citizens will also be able to adopt a healthy lifestyle, improve fitness and participate in positive activities by taking advantage of these clubs.
The Sindh Sports Minister further said that youth and citizens can get membership in sports clubs established in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Nazimabad in Karachi, Hyderabad, Qasimabad, Sukkur, Ghotki, Mirpurkhas, Jacobabad and Dadu for a fixed fee. He said that agreements are also being considered to promote cooperation between government and private clubs.
