ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has said that the country and the world’s first-ever cricket stadium dedicated for visually impaired players will be completed in Lahore
PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said the construction work was progressing quickly and the cricket stadium would most likely to be completed in the next 10 months.
“It is the first ever cricket stadium for visually impaired players in the World, where the two times World Champs (Pakistan Blind Cricket Team) will do regular practice and play matches at their own will and ease,” Sultan said.
Sultan, who is also the President of World Blind Cricket ltd said the stadium had been planned considering the “Universal Design” that it is inherently accessible to people with visual impairment.
“This stadium will also provide access to sports to blind women, blind students and visually impaired youth in a conducive and safe environment. A blind cricket training and coaching academy will also commence there,” he said.
Chairman PBCC said he was grateful to the Chief Minister of Punjab on whose special instructions the scheme had been approved.
“PBCC also appreciates Sports Board Punjab for initiating the construction of the Blind Cricket Stadium,” he said.
Since the actual proposed piece of land for the Cricket Stadium for the blind fell within a commercial hub proposed in the Master Plan of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) City, the LDA provided a substitute piece of land of same size (44K 10 Marla) at a prime location in the same scheme which is closer to Ferozepur Road and only 300 meter inside the Canal.
LDA has also built an access road from the Canal to the project site to facilitate the start of construction. The process for transfer of land has also been initiated by the LDA, which is in the process of approving the exchange of land in the coming weeks.
