Mirpur, Azad Kashmir: The Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, once a hub for cricket enthusiasts, has fallen into disrepair due to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) lack of attention. Broken windows, damaged chairs, and piles of garbage have left players and fans deeply disappointed.
According to reports, the stadium, often referred to as the “Mini London” of Azad Kashmir, has become a victim of PCB’s incompetence. No national-level matches have been held at the stadium for years, and the VIP lobby is littered with shattered glass.
Constructed in 2007 and handed over to the PCB in 2008, the stadium, with a seating capacity of 16,000, is now in a deplorable state. The outfield grass is poorly maintained, and the pitches are no longer suitable for play. The chairs installed for spectators are broken, and no efforts have been made to repair them. Heaps of garbage and overgrown grass further highlight the stadium’s neglect.
Local players have expressed their frustration, stating, “When there are no facilities, why are we being charged match fees?” Young cricketers are becoming disheartened by the poor condition of the stadium, which is a reflection of the administrative and governmental failure in Azad Kashmir’s key city.
Residents have urged the PCB to take immediate action to restore the stadium, warning that the youth of Mirpur may be deprived of a healthy sporting activity if the situation persists. “The government must take notice and play its role in reviving the stadium,” they said.
It is worth noting that due to the stadium’s poor condition, none of the matches of last year’s Kashmir Premier League could be held at the Quaid-e-Azam Stadium in Mirpur. All matches were instead conducted at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium.
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