he new Gakkhar Sports Complex is helping promote sports in Gujranwala division. The project was started in Gakkhar Mandi at a cost of Rs 400 million in 2017. It was finally completed in 2021. The complex was inaugurated by the then chief minister, Sardar Usman Buzdar.

“The 12-acre facility is located on the Grand Trunk Road. Currently, it has facilities to host competitions in cricket, hockey, badminton, handball, volleyball, lawn tennis, athletics and indoor as well as outdoor basketball. Cricket, badminton and hockey are regularly played and attract athletes from Gakkhar, Wazirabad, Rahwali, Iqbal town, DC Colony and other areas. The opening of the complex has provided a remarkable opportunity to local players to practice and train,” says the administrator, Ali Haider.

The complex has excellent running and walking tracks. Many residents of nearby localities come here for a healthy walk or running. A lot of people from Gakkhar Mandi, Rahwali, Wazirabad, and other areas visit the place to join yoga classes.

The administration is particularly focusing on the promotion of hockey. Earlier, hockey players in these towns did not have a proper playground. There have been complaints that our national game is dying a slow death through a lack of facilities that might encourage new talent to emerge and develop into champions.

Hockey coach Shahid Butt says his club is registered with the complex administration. He says they routinely come here to play and train. “We, the players from Gakkhar town feel fortunate to have this wonderful sports complex. We are grateful to the Punjab government for providing us the marvellous platform. We hope that this will play a positive role in promoting sports and games across the region. We have always played our hockey on muddy grounds. There is a huge difference between playing on a natural surface and playing on an astro-turf. It is completely new experience. Playing on the standard surface will help us learn the relevant skills and condition for international hockey. We hope that number of hockey players will emerge by playing here and make their mark at the international level. The membership fee is affordable. Players from Pakistan Army and other regions have been visiting the Sports Complex to play hockey.”

The administration of the sports complex is particularly focusing on the promotion of hockey. Earlier, the players did not have a proper ground to play hockey at. There have been complaints that the national game is dying a slow death in the country.

He says several clubs are operating at the complex. These include Vital Hockey Club, Rachna Hockey Club, Rahwali Hockey Club and DC Colony Club. “Recently, the Punjab Sports Board hosted a hockey tournament titled All Pakistan Commissioner’s Gold Cup at this sports complex. Teams from Pakistan Navy, WAPDA, Pakistan Army and Lahore Blues took part in the competition. It lasted for longer than a week,” he says.

Similarly, cricket is being routinely played. Teams representing various clubs, government departments, colleges and schools have been using the facilities. Over the last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has held two trial matches at school and college levels for Under-15 and Under-18 teams. The Punjab Police have also held a division level cricket tournament here.

Capt Mubeen, who leads a cricket club, says his club is registered with the complex authorities. “We regularly play against Pakistan Ittehad Club and Jay Mahana Club. Players from Atta Cricket Club, which is patronised by Test cricketer Hassan Ali, also play there matches here. Our club also takes part in the tournaments organised by the sports complex management.” He says the cricket ground, pitches and the facilities provided to them by the complex are satisfactory.

Players from the all over the district also come to the complex to play indoor games like badminton, basketball and table tennis.

Badminton players Amir Shehzad, Shehbaz, Ehsan and Saifullah say they regularly come here to play badminton. “I am 45. I have recently started playing badminton after almost 12 years,” Amir Shehzad says. “We did not have a proper court for playing badminton. It is wonderful to have indoor courts. I have been playing regularly and this has helped me feel young and energetic,” he says.

Administrator Ali Haider says: “Punjab Sports Board is making diligent efforts to build hockey and cricket stadiums in all tehsils of the Punjab. Currently, cricket, hockey and badminton are the top games being played at this complex.” He says the fee for badminton and hockey players is Rs 1,000 a month, the students are charged Rs 500 a month.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in Gujranwala. He can be reached at waseemshabbir78@gmail.com