KARACHI, May 7: A large number of sports organizers and sportsmen of the city must have only heard the name of Lyari’s famous People’s Sports Complex and were not aware of the multi-purpose facilities that existed for holding different international and national-level competitions.

People’s Sports Complex was no less than Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Complex, a symbol of Pak-China friendship, as far as sporting facilities were concerned.

With the exception of tartan track, provision of which was there, it had a football stadium, a multi-purpose indoor gymnasium, and a boxing arena, practice area for pugilists, canteen and 74 rooms around the football stadium.

But unfortunately, it is like a white elephant due to lack of proper use since its commissioning by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Dec 9, 1995.

So far, it has served as a venue for a few international football matches and a three-nation women’s international handball competition involving Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the hosts.

Spread over an area of 10-acres, People’s Sports Complex was constructed at a cost of Rs130m facing Mauripur Road.

Right from the day one, the premises like many other stadiums, remained under occupation of the Rangers who were deployed in the city a decade back due to law and order problem.

The affairs of People’s Sports Complex were managed by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

It has a total strength of 84 employees including a deputy district officer. Couple of them have been sent on deputation at other CDGK projects but were getting their perks on account of People’s Sports Complex.

The staff had only three out of 74 rooms under their possession.

Indoor gymnasium: The huge gymnasium with a seating capacity for 2500 people including 250 chairs at top level can organize all indoor events in a befitting way. It is equipped with imported Burma teak wooden flooring.

Boxing arena: It has an international size ring of 24x24 for holding bouts.

There is a seating capacity for around 1800 persons including 500 chairs with floodlight.

Recently, the boxing stadium got a facelift when the Rangers organized a tournament named after Abdullah Baloch and donated a purse of Rs150, 000 to the bereaved family in addition to awards to successful pugilists in cash and kind.

Adjacent to it is a big hall which houses Pak National Boxing Club and fitness centre where the boxers have their workouts. In addition, there were eight punching bags and a sparring ring.

Football stadium: It is the main attraction of the complex and can accommodate around 25,000 people for a match. This includes provision of 6,000 chairs in the main enclosure.

There were four lighting towers having a total of 300 bulbs in addition to separate players changing rooms, technical delegate room, conference room, commentary boxes, etc.

SAFF contest preparations: The CDGK have started preparations to improve the playing field and other facilities prior to inspection by an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegation some time this month.

If given a green signal by the AFC, the competition is due to be played at the fag end of this year.

Abbas Baloch, Chairman, Sindh Football Association (SFA), had drawn the attention of higher authorities for an early facelift as it was not in use since long and in a dilapidated condition.

It was because of that reason that the inaugural AFC President’s Cup slipped away from Pakistan’s hand and awarded to Nepal.

An official of the CDGK, however, alleged that the football officials did not even bother to inform them about their requirements when the AFC inspectors visited the complex in the recent past and gave a negative report.

He went on to say that this time too, the football officials intimated us at the eleventh hour.

Aslam K.K. Assistant Engineer, CDGK, visited the site the other day to work out estimates.

“There was an acute water shortage and if the requirement of 15,000 gallons daily is fulfilled, the ground would become complete green in 15 days,” Muhammad Farooq Shaikh, field in charge at the complex told Dawn.

He disclosed that around 2,000 chairs were damaged and needs immediate repairs. The electronic scoreboard had not functioned ever since it was installed.

When approached, Dr Shams Noor Masoodi, Deputy District Officer of the complex, said he was exploring ways and means to help generate funds on a regular basis by placing hoardings and giving the premises to organizers on rent for staging different competitions.

Its proper maintenance and organizing competitions on a regular basis is need of the hour before it turns into shambles.

Another factor which needs immediate attention was that there is no cut in front of the complex on Mauripur Road and the VIPs had to go up to Gulbai for taking a U-turn.