Cricket enthusiasts in Swat are in for a treat as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved the construction of a cricket stadium in the Kalam valley.
Chief Minister KP, Mahmood Khan, approved the project to promote cricket activities in the scenic valley. The ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced this on its Twitter handle.
وزیر اعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا @IMMahmoodKhan Ù†Û’ سوات Ú©ÛŒ خوبصورت سیاØتی وادی کالام میں کرکٹ سٹیڈیم تعمیر کرنے Ú©ÛŒ منظوری دے دی..
سوات،کالام کرکٹ سٹیڈیم 607 ملین کی لاگت سے تعمیر کی جائیگی.#KPKUpdates pic.twitter.com/HqCUkboLDv
— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) October 10, 2020
The cricket stadium, to be built in the Chief Minister’s hometown, will cost approximately Rs. 607 million.
Earlier in August, Director General Sports in KP, Asfandyar Khan Khattak, had told media that the government is in talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to develop a stadium in Kalam. The stadium will have a National Cricket Academy (NCA)-style training facility, a swimming pool, multi-purpose gymnasium for indoor games, Tartan Track for Athletics, and seven-star hotel facilities.
It should be noted that the construction of Pakistan’s largest cricket stadium in Bahria Town, Karachi is in full swing. Rafi Cricket Stadium will be the biggest cricket ground in the country with a seating capacity of more than 50,000 spectators.
Sources said that work has been expedited for the early completion of the project. The stadium will be ready to host international matches by 2022. A five-star hotel is also being constructed for players.
International Cricket Stadium in Kalaam, Will we have international players travelling all way to Kalaam for a match?. Its just another loss to our economy in the name of tourism.
India has Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharmashala. Why not in Kalam?
I don’t see any problem here apart from environmental pollution. If they can focus on environmental conservation and not destroying or damaging any wild life or forests then I’m all in for it.
New Zealand has a few stadiums at very scenic places. It will be fun to watch cricket at such a venue and it can help prolong our cricket season which usually begins in September due to hot weather in Punjab and Sindh.
If and only if international teams are interested to play in Pakistan, then this project will be feasible. Else BRT and Metro way.
It is a fantastic initiative as our national cricket team will have the opportunity to practice in the weather of Kalam, quite similar to England and New Zealand. Secondly the local talent will also grow with them
PTI Govt can only make announcements about projects. In reality they can do nothing
Swat is a peaceful region of pak . i m living in swat . Many thanks to CM’s KP mehmood khan and I belong to your village .
What a waste of money when the province is deprived of even basic standard everyday usage roads in other areas like Dir and Chitral. Kalam is functional only for three summer months in a year, and cricket is a waning sport anyway. The world is relinquishing it gradually.