ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: Lack of sports and games facilities force youngsters living in different sectors of the federal capital to swarm on the roads and in the streets to play their games particularly cricket.

Residents of different sectors complain that the shortage of playgrounds in the capital hamper the healthy activities of the youngsters.

Majid Khan, resident of sector G-8, says that football is his favourite game but unfortunately there is no proper place near his residence where he can play.

Most of the parents complain that owing to the absence of playgrounds, they do not allow their kids to play in the streets which can be dangerous for them.

Most of the educational institutions in the capital also do not provide the playing facilities to the students which is irksome for the young people.

The parents have expressed concern over the lack of playgrounds and urged the officials concerned to provide schools with space which can be used for healthy activities by the students.

“Most of the schools have no proper facility of playgrounds due to lack of space in their respective institutions,” says a resident of F-6.

He says that a large number of schools are being run in the residential areas in small houses, which are not able to facilitate students with grounds.

The situation forces the students to use green areas and streets as playgrounds, which create problems for the residents.

Most of the students, aged 12-17, can be seen on green belts in different areas playing various games.

A school official when contacted said that many educational institutions had constructed playgrounds in the federal capital for the students to promote healthy activities.

When contacted an official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said that sports and culture directorate of CDA was responsible for providing infrastructure for the activities regarding sports and culture.

He said that several new playgrounds had been constructed by the concerned department. He said the network of parks would be extended in all the sectors of the federal capital to reduce the problems. — APP