Asia to host 2011 World Cup!!!

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: Asia to host 2011 World Cup!!!

@Peoples Champ

I thought they were making a brand new stadium in Islamabad???

The very last of the news reported on the above project is mentioned in Dawn, and my assumption is that the negotiations and the on-going talks between the relevant authorities are still in process at this present time.

@Rock_Express

I am also surprised that Multan has been omitted from the list. Its one of the few decent grounds in the country. Maybe its a political decision to name Peshawar as one of the venues or it could be the fact that there are not many good quality hotels in the city. God knows what the main reason is. If Peshwar is confirmed as one of the venues then like I said before - they will have to renovate the stadium considerably. Honestly it looks so horrible - compare it to the likes of Multan stadium.

Also - I have read the same report regarding the new stadium in Gwadar. Even if its ready - it has not been mentioned as one of the potential venues. Are you aware of any details regarding the stadium in Gwadar i.e. capacity, facilities, architecture etc.

Also we don’t know the details of the matches to be played in each country as yet - i.e. the semi finals and the final. I think Pakistan may get the 2 semi finals but then again the other countries may also want at least a semi final in their country. The final I think will be in India - because bigger grounds - better infrastucture put in place especially after the Commonwealth games had taken place.

@Rock_Express

Concrete is used in Peshwar, Rawalpindi and I am not sure where else. If you are holding a world cup match - do you expect the foreign supporters especially from non Asian countries to sit on these all day along? They are not used to such seating facilities and also doesn’t create a very good impression. They will definetely have to look at this seriously and provide proper seating on such grounds.

Fully agree on your Multan bit and your latest post above related to the seating arrangements, Rock_Express Bhai.

A quick search regarding the planning and development process that is currently underway for the stadium being built in Gwadar yielded in the following result (from a historical perspective):

---

No one can argue with the cricket board’s desire to give attention to the hitherto neglected areas of the southern parts of the country as in the recent years the Punjab province – barring a few games in Karachi – has been bestowed with the privilege to host the whole gamut of international cricket played in Pakistan. Thus the PCB’s plan to improve playing and lodging facilities at important cricket centres like Hyderabad and Quetta needs to be unequivocally lauded but along with these noble intentions, the idea to build an international cricket stadium in the still undeveloped port city of Gwadar defies logic as well as wisdom and certainly casts doubts on the sincerity of the board about spreading international cricket all over the country.

With the current population of Gwadar mostly comprising the locals, majority of whom even now live in the primeval age and definitely know little about the game, and the labourers busy in various projects, one wonders what purpose it will serve to build a stadium over there. Even if it’s a long-term plan, as claimed by the Chairman, one can count ten better centres where the PCB can focus its attention to develop as the future cricket venue than squandering energy and resources on Gwadar, which still needs 10-20 years before it can come anywhere at par with other developed cities of Pakistan.

Cricket World Pakistan

---

Furthermore, there is also another new project being taken to create a brand-new facility in Sahiwal. A blue-print model is attached:

After the above three projects are finalized and have achieved a completion, we will have a total of seventeen (17) cricket grounds in our country, listed below:

1. Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

2. Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore

3. Bahawal Stadium, Bahawalpur

4. Defence Housing Authority Stadium, Karachi

5. Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

6. Ibn-e-asim Bagh Stadium, Multan

7. Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

8. Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala

9. Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

10. Multan Cricket Stadium

11. National Stadium, Karachi

12. Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad

13. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

14. Sheikhupura Stadium

Additions:

15. Islamabad

16. Sahiwal

17. Gwadar

At least we know that half a dozen of these stadiums are in “working” condition (fit for International standards). Shouldn’t PCB go ahead and allocate part of the funds to redesign and recreate the rest of the grounds and bring them back on speed and on par with it’s predecessors?