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.
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.
