Abdul Samad Tariq ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):For children turning neighborhood streets into cricket grounds, students seeking affordable sports facilities and young athletes striving to develop their talent, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) planned Rs952 million multi-sport arenas could open new avenues for recreation, training and competition across Islamabad. The projects reflect the authority’s efforts to expand the capital’s sports infrastructure and bring modern recreational facilities closer to residents. By developing …
From street cricket to state-of-the-art arenas: Islamabad’s sporting transformation
Abdul Samad Tariq
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):For children turning neighborhood streets into cricket grounds, students seeking affordable sports facilities and young athletes striving to develop their talent, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) planned Rs952 million multi-sport arenas could open new avenues for recreation, training and competition across Islamabad.
The projects reflect the authority’s efforts to expand the capital’s sports infrastructure and bring modern recreational facilities closer to residents.
By developing complexes at three locations, the CDA aims to create more opportunities for people to participate in sports, pursue healthy lifestyles and develop their athletic potential.
The authority plans to establish multi-sport complexes in D-12/1, G-11/3 Markaz and F-8 Markaz. The proposed facilities include indoor swimming pools, gyms, futsal courts, cricket practice cages, padel courts, basketball facilities and multipurpose sports halls, offering a range of activities for sports enthusiasts and aspiring athletes.
The projects could also reduce the need for residents to travel across the city in search of suitable venues. For families, students and amateur players, access to facilities within their communities could make regular participation in sports more convenient.
A CDA spokesperson told APP that operational arrangements would be finalized after construction was completed and the facilities became operational. The authority has yet to announce the fee structure, concessions for students and registered sports clubs, or whether the complexes would be managed directly or through private operators.
These arrangements will be important in determining how residents use the facilities and how effectively the investment supports grassroots sports. Affordable memberships, transparent booking procedures and designated training sessions could help attract a wider range of users.
Existing facilities illustrate the range of costs involved in organized sports. Membership packages at the Pakistan Sports Complex, operated by the Pakistan Sports Board, have included registration charges ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs30,000 and monthly fees of Rs1,500 to Rs5,000, depending on the sport and package.
Commercial padel courts have reportedly charged around Rs2,000 an hour, while booking charges for some CDA-managed cricket grounds have reached approximately Rs15,000 a day for matches.
These rates vary by venue and booking category and do not indicate what the new complexes will charge. The proposed arenas will have their own operational requirements, including staffing, maintenance, utilities and safety arrangements, which will influence their long-term management.
A sports club owner, speaking on condition of anonymity said the new facilities could provide valuable training opportunities for local clubs if booking charges remained manageable.
“New multi-sport arenas sound good on paper, but if they end up with high membership or hourly rates, grassroots clubs will still be locked out,” the owner said, calling for subsidized training slots for registered clubs and youth academies.
The proposed complexes could also widen opportunities for girls and women to participate in physical activity. Convenient timings, reasonable fees, suitable facilities and effective safety arrangements would help make regular sports participation more accessible.
A female student said affordable facilities could encourage more girls to take part in sports, provided the venues offered convenient timings and a safe environment.
“Many girls would like to take part in sports, but access to suitable facilities, the cost of regular sessions and family commitments can become barriers. If these arenas offer affordable rates, convenient timings and appropriate facilities for women, more girls could benefit,” she said.
Residents have also welcomed the prospect of having sports facilities closer to their homes. Murad Khan, a resident of D-12, said the complex planned for his sector could provide local residents with a convenient alternative to travelling across the city or paying private-club rates, provided the facilities remained affordable.
According to available project details, the D-12/1 complex will cover approximately 4.2 acres at an estimated cost of Rs327 million.
The G-11/3 facility will occupy around 3.5 acres and cost Rs317 million, while the F-8 Markaz complex will cover about 3.2 acres at an estimated cost of Rs307 million to Rs308 million. The combined estimates amount to approximately Rs951 million to Rs952 million, making confirmation of the final approved allocation important.
The projects are to be financed through CDA resources and awarded through open competitive bidding. Construction is expected to take about a year after work begins, according to the project information available for this report.
Once completed, the complexes will require regular maintenance, trained staff, proper sanitation and effective safety procedures, particularly for swimming pools and specialized sports facilities.
Sustainable management will be essential to maintaining service standards while ensuring that the venues remain useful to local communities.
Student concessions, group booking options and designated training slots for registered clubs could further expand participation. Clear information about membership fees, opening hours and booking procedures would also help residents plan their use of the facilities.
The investment offers an opportunity to strengthen Islamabad’s recreational infrastructure while creating spaces for young people to develop their skills, build confidence and engage in healthy competition.
With effective management and accessible arrangements, the proposed arenas could become active community hubs that support grassroots sports and encourage a more physically active population.
Ultimately, the value of million investment will extend beyond the construction of courts, pools and sports halls. Its lasting contribution will depend on how effectively these facilities serve Islamabad’s residents and help nurture the next generation of sporting talent.
