KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Kakri Sports Complex, known as Kakri Ground, in Lyari.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Newly elected Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were also present on the occasion to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.
Bilawal Bhutto congratulated the people of Lyari for the development of the sports complex where youth would be trained to compete in international sports events.
The complex located in the historic Lyari area that holds immense cultural and social importance for the local communities. “This is a historic ground. It is from where we sent General Zia and Musharraf home. It is here where Asif Zardari and Benazir Bhuto were married,” Bilawal said on the occasion.
آج شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کی 70 ویں سالگرہ کے موقع پر ککری اسپورٹس کمپلیکس کا افتتاح کرکے بہت خوشی محسوس ہوئی۔
ککری گراؤنڈ اور لیاری میرے لیے بہت اہمیت رکھتے ہیں کیونکہ پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کی بحالیِ جمہوریت کیلئے کی جانے والی جدوجہد میں ان کا اہم کردار رہا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/4fVuGeskLc
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 21, 2023
This project is a testament to the commitment of the provincial government to considerably improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods and promote sporting excellence for its citizens, especially the young generation.
CM Sindh briefing the chairman said that Kakri Ground and its surrounding area have long served as a hub of social and sporting activities, catering to the diverse groups residing in the vicinity.
The chief minister said recognizing the significance of the Kakri Sports Complex and the need for neighborhood improvement, the Sindh government embarked on a rehabilitation project.
He said that the project involved developing a comprehensive land use plan and optimizing the existing facilities to international standards. He said new indoor games and facilities were incorporated to ensure a diverse presence in national and international competitions.
The project started in January 2022 and was completed in June 2023 at the cost of Rs1.365 billion and includes a multipurpose building of 18,000 square feet. The upgraded Kakri Sports Complex boasts several remarkable features that would enhance the sporting experience and overall well-being of the community.
The complex includes an upgraded and rehabilitated soccer ground covered with state-of-the-art artificial turf. The existing stadiums have been retrofitted by providing architectural surface textured tiles and a new pavilion has been constructed to accommodate large crowds during national and international football events.
Practice football grounds have been designed with with a grass field, and LED flood lights for night play. Security fences, boundary walls, and architectural steel gates are put to ensure the security of the grounds and other premises. Floodlights have been installed to support night matches.
Two parks, Pitcher Park and Allah Rakha Park, have been rehabilitated and retrofitted with the installation of utilities, and provision of restrooms, making these accessible to the public. A complete water supply, storm water drainage and sewerage disposal system have also been implemented.
