'Iqbal Stadium being upgraded to hold international cricket events'

The City District Government is developing basic infrastructure to make Faisalabad hub of international sports activities in addition to generating much needed socio-economic activities, said District Co-ordination Officer Kanwar Ejaz Khaliq Razzaqi. He was addressing a reception jointly hosted by Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and district administration in honour of teams participating in Pakistan Cricket Cup 2016 at Faisalabad here today.
He said that Iqbal Stadium is being refurbished and upgraded to hold international cricket events while district government was ready to collaborate with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to provide more and international level facilities in the stadium. He appreciated the sports talent of Faisalabad and told that last year maximum national level sports championships were held in Faisalabad which is indicative of the sports potential of this city. Similarly, Pakistan participated in 70 international events abroad during last year and maximum sportsmen included in these teams belong to Faisalabad.
Regarding ongoing sports projects in Faisalabad, the DCO told that Squash and Table Tennis complexes are nearing completion while the first tartan track is also being laid in Faisalabad.
He said that a special function would be held very soon to acknowledge the contribution of renowned cricketer Wasim Haider who is also a member of Chenab Club. "Wasim Haider will be decorated with honoured and decorated gold medal", he added. Ejaz Khaliq Razzaqi thanked FCCI for its active cooperation in hosting this lunch and said that business community was always generous in sponsoring healthy sports activities in this district.
Earlier, Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain acting president FCCI welcomed the young cricketers and thanked PCB and the DCO for organising the national level event of Pakistan Cricket Cup in Faisalabad.
He said that sports have now become an industry which could also play a pivotal role in developing sports tourism. "It could also be exploited for the image building of any country", he said and added that in Pakistan up till now, we could not fully encash these aspects of healthy sports activities. Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain offered DCO to host such events in future on behalf of the business community of Faisalabad to encourage the healthy sports activities.
Ali Zia Senior General Manager PCB on behalf of Chairman PCB Shaharyar khan thanked FCCI and district administration for hosting this cricket event with full enthusiasm. Ejaz Farooqi Secretary District Cricket Association demanded at least 4 to 5 new cricket stadiums in Faisalabad in view of its burgeoning population. He told that seating capacity in Iqbal Stadium is very limited (16,000) which should be enhanced immediately. Similarly, at least one stadium with seating capacity of 60,000 should be constructed forthwith.
Later, Syed Zia Alam Dar Hussain presented a FCCI memento to DCO Ejaz Khaliq Razzaqi. The signed cricket bats were also presented to the organisers on behalf of the management of PCB. Jameel Ahmed vice president FCCI offered vote of thanks while function was also attended by captain Pakistan T-20 Cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed and captain Pakistan one day cricket team Azhar Ali.