LAHORE: The Punjab government has initiated a plan to hand over the management and operation of more than 200 sports facilities across the province to the private sector to improve their utilisation, management and accessibility.
The initiative is being pursued in collaboration with the Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPPA) as part of the government’s strategy to make its sports infrastructure more functional and sustainable.
Officials said Punjab had an extensive network of sports facilities, including international-standard squash and swimming complexes, tennis stadia, gymnasiums and football, hockey and cricket stadia. Despite substantial investment, many facilities are not being fully utilised.
The proposed private-sector model is aimed at bringing professional management and operational expertise to improve day-to-day administration, increase utilisation and facilitate regular sporting activities. It is also expected to create a more sustainable operating model and enable facilities to serve more athletes, students, sports enthusiasts and members of the public.
The move comes amid concerns over declining physical activity among young people. Officials said around 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprised youth, while increasing use of mobile phones and social media had contributed to more sedentary lifestyles.
Experts say greater participation in sports can improve physical fitness and mental well-being while promoting discipline, teamwork and leadership. It can also help engage young people in positive activities and reduce their vulnerability to drug abuse and other harmful influences.
The Youth Affairs and Sports Department is seeking to make existing facilities more accessible and active while promoting sports as an organised and sustainable industry rather than limiting the government’s role to building and maintaining infrastructure.
Punjab has expanded its sports infrastructure in recent years, including facilities for traditional and emerging disciplines. The decision to explore public-private management of more than 200 existing facilities is intended to address the longstanding challenge of ensuring that infrastructure remains functional after construction.
Alongside the proposed outsourcing, the government is also moving ahead with new projects, including the Maryam Nawaz Sports City and modern, state-of-the-art padel courts. The projects are expected to broaden sporting options and complement existing facilities.
The government’s approach combines new infrastructure with efforts to improve the performance of existing venues. Its success, however, will depend on the selection, monitoring and accountability of private operators, particularly in maintaining facilities and ensuring reasonable public access.
Officials said better management and utilisation could help unlock the value of investments already made in the sector. By involving the private sector in operations while retaining its policy role, the government hopes to create a more efficient and sustainable framework for sports development.
The initiative could mark a shift in Punjab’s sports policy from primarily building facilities to ensuring their sustained utilisation, professional management and integration into a wider sports economy.
