PCB should build/upgrade stadiums in AJK, GB, and Abbottabad

[hussain.r97]

PCB should seriously consider upgrading facilities/building stadiums up north. These places are some of the most picturesque places on Earth, and having international cricket or PSL here would be a great way to promote Pakistani tourism. These venues would be perfect places for Test cricket, and I feel like conditions up north would make for some exciting cricket.

Apparently a stadium has even been planned in Skardu, this is an artist's impression -

Narol Cricket Stadium - Muzaffarabad

Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Stadium - Mirpur

Abbottabad Cricket Stadium

Obviously PCB should focus on getting stadiums in Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, etc back up to international standard. But these should definitely be on the PCB's radar to upgrade/build within the next 10 years.

 

[Markhor]

I'm all for it but where's the money coming from ?

It's not just the cost of upgrading or building new stadia, you also need to have five star accomodation in the area.

 

[gazza619]

I'm all for it but where's the money coming from ?

It's not just the cost of upgrading or building new stadia, you also need to have five star accomodation in the area.

Oh dont u worry. Money will come

 

[Pakistanian]

I'm all for it too but you can't just throw money and expect to earn it back with no plan. They should follow the American method - these stadiums should be partly funded by the cities that they're being built in, if the cities don't invest then there's no point building a multimillion dollar stadium and you can't earn back the money in such a small market. I think smaller scale stadiums in the north are more feasible like the Dunedin oval.

 

[hussain.r97]

I'm all for it too but you can't just throw money and expect to earn it back with no plan. They should follow the American method - these stadiums should be partly funded by the cities that they're being built in, if the cities don't invest then there's no point building a multimillion dollar stadium and you can't earn back the money in such a small market. I think smaller scale stadiums in the north are more feasible like the Dunedin oval.

Don't think multimillion dollar stadiums are even needed up north. What I would like to see is the development of smaller stadiums, around 10000-15000 in capacity, mainly to be used for Test Cricket (which gets smaller crowds), and the odd PSL and LOI game.

 

[rhony]

I heard going to GB by road is tough and long from Pak main centers. What's the point of building a stadium there.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I'm all for it too but you can't just throw money and expect to earn it back with no plan. They should follow the American method - these stadiums should be partly funded by the cities that they're being built in, if the cities don't invest then there's no point building a multimillion dollar stadium and you can't earn back the money in such a small market. I think smaller scale stadiums in the north are more feasible like the Dunedin oval.

The American model is just idiotic. Franchises with billions of dollars at their disposal should build their own stadiums rather than depending on city councils to build it for them. They take the money from the people in a country where student debts are rising all the time and ppl are living pay check to pay check. Can only imagine this model to be 1000X worse when applied in Pakistan.

 

[Pakistanian]

The American model is just idiotic. Franchises with billions of dollars at their disposal should build their own stadiums rather than depending on city councils to build it for them. They take the money from the people in a country where student debts are rising all the time and ppl are living pay check to pay check. Can only imagine this model to be 1000X worse when applied in Pakistan.

well the cities then earn money renting out these stadiums for concerts and other events but yeah I understand that wasting taxpayer monies isn't a good idea. If the PCB has the money and a plan for RoI then by all means they should finance it.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

well the cities then earn money renting out these stadiums for concerts and other events but yeah I understand that wasting taxpayer monies isn't a good idea. If the PCB has the money and a plan for RoI then by all means they should finance it.

Don't they handover the stadiums to these franchises? Correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Pakistanian]

I heard going to GB by road is tough and long from Pak main centers. What's the point of building a stadium there.

They have an airport. Using that logic nobody can play matches in nepal since it's so remote and hard to access.

 

[Pakistanian]

Don't they handover the stadiums to these franchises? Correct me if i'm wrong.

I'm not exactly sure how it works but I think they share the equity in the stadium.

 

[Savak]

To realize the full impact of the PSL, then you need to get all these stadiums up and running. Will require $billions in investments. Where will the money come from?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I'm not exactly sure how it works but I think they share the equity in the stadium.

Well regardless of sharing the equity aspect of government spending on such projects (which is only profitable in long term; Very long term), it would just be ridiculous to even contemplate that our local governments have the capacity to successfully complete such projects. There'll just kickbacks and more kickbacks. Delays and further days. Afterthoughts and then some. Such projects would just be unfeasible.

 

[Pakistanian]

Well regardless of sharing the equity aspect of government spending on such projects (which is only profitable in long term; Very long term), it would just be ridiculous to even contemplate that our local governments have the capacity to successfully complete such projects. There'll just kickbacks and more kickbacks. Delays and further days. Afterthoughts and then some. Such projects would just be unfeasible.

yeah but you got to start somewhere, can't let fears of corruption stop governments from moving forward. Also I've read up on how some recent stadiums were funded by cities here and turns out they didn't use any money from their existing budget but instead levied new taxes like a hotel or car rental tax and that money would earmarked exclusively for stadium construction and they would latter sell out corporate boxes and impose a ticket and stadium parking tax to pay off the rest of the loans they take out for construction.

 

[Pakistanian]

To realize the full impact of the PSL, then you need to get all these stadiums up and running. Will require $billions in investments. Where will the money come from?

investors need to know if they will make big money, can't create a Brazil situation with multiple empty billion dollar stadiums after the world cup.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

yeah but you got to start somewhere, can't let fears of corruption stop governments from moving forward. Also I've read up on how some recent stadiums were funded by cities here and turns out they didn't use any money from their existing budget but instead levied new taxes like a hotel or car rental tax and that money would earmarked exclusively for stadium construction and they would latter sell out corporate boxes and impose a ticket and stadium parking tax to pay off the rest of the loans they take out for construction.

I'm all for ignoring all of the ground realities.

 

[hussain.r97]

I heard going to GB by road is tough and long from Pak main centers. What's the point of building a stadium there.

There are airports in Gilgit and Skardu.

 

[AnasK]

The American model is just idiotic. Franchises with billions of dollars at their disposal should build their own stadiums rather than depending on city councils to build it for them. They take the money from the people in a country where student debts are rising all the time and ppl are living pay check to pay check. Can only imagine this model to be 1000X worse when applied in Pakistan.

Why would a franchise (who have 8 or 10 year contract with PCB) invest in building a stadium?

PCB needs to build these stadiums with the help of provincial or federal government. But before building new stadiums, existing stadiums need to be brought back to international standards where PSL or international fixtures can be hosted and can be filled with people. There is no point of making a high-class stadium in small cities where they might not be filled.

 

[Sean143]

The stadium in Islamabad should have been completed by now, as I think it's a safe city. The one in Rawalpindi is on a pretty congested road imo, and needs a complete overhaul. There are no water dispensers inside the stadium, and I guess the number of screens is also pretty less (1 or 2). Add to that the fact that it's so close to a vulnerable area like Faizabad.
PCB should have constructed the stadium in Islamabad by now, I guess they had some sought of a legal issue with CDA.

Quetta and Peshawar are just not a realistic possibility for at least 2-3 years.
I would go with Multan, Rawalpind/Islamabad, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Ehsan Mani has said a game can be held in Muzaffarabad in the next 2 years. There is already a Pearl Continental hotel located there as well.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Why would a franchise (who have 8 or 10 year contract with PCB) invest in building a stadium?

PCB needs to build these stadiums with the help of provincial or federal government. But before building new stadiums, existing stadiums need to be brought back to international standards where PSL or international fixtures can be hosted and can be filled with people. There is no point of making a high-class stadium in small cities where they might not be filled.

Because franchises can create a sustainable source of revenue from building their own stadiums. In that way franchises wouldn’t even have to rely on PSL’s success. Who knows, they may even manage to rope in other private sponsors to build their stadiums for them.

 

[Savak]

Ehsan Mani's comments during press conference today with regards to the stadiums and facilities for the next PSL

The players today expect 5 star hotel facilities with recreational options, gyms, swimming pools. In the next few months we are going to inspect the state of the stadiums throughout the country and assess what needs to be done

1) Rawalpindi Stadium

- It is being renovated and upgraded, Rs 100 million has already been spent on it and it should be ready by June-July 2019. Obviously it is not going to be like the National Stadium but its good enough

2) Multan Stadium

- We have a good stadium in Multan, it is close to 5 star facilities, it will need some upgrading ofcourse

I realistically expect that we can get 4-5 stadiums in Pakistan up and running for the next PSL in 2020 and that way each stadium can have an average of 7-8 games in total

3) Hyderabad Stadium

- The CM of Sindh urged that we hold a few PSL matches in Hyderabad next year, but the problem is we don't have any ownership of the stadium and the stadium over there is in very bad shape, there are also no floodlights in Hyderabad and there are no 5 star facilities close by so it will be a logistical problem

- I told the CM if he wants it done then he has to work on the stadium and do something about the 5 star facilities

4) Miranshah Credit Stadium

- I have been told that there is a good stadium there

5) Shahid Afridi Cricket Stadium in Fata

- I have been told that there is a good stadium there

6) Muzzafarabad Cricket Stadium

- I have been told that there is not only a good Cricket Stadium there but there is also an Excellent 5 star Pearl Continental Hotel close by as well. If we can even hold one PSL game there, we will do it and DGISPR has assured us that he will provide us with all the logistical support that we need

 

[shah_1]

Dude we need a world class stadium in Islamabad. Three tier stadium. Most suitable city for international cricket. Forget those places and spend money where its needed.


Rawalpindi is seriously got the worst ground possible, so please don't tell we have one.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Man if that ground in the OP at Skardu ever gets built..well that would be amazing!

 

[Hawkeye]

Yes.

As long as OP is willing to finance them.

Where are you getting the money from? There's no money. If they have any, they need to spend on bringing to life existing stadiums and make them profitable.

Why would you want new stadiums when there's no money and stadiums already in a bad shape man.

 

[Savak]

Yes.

As long as OP is willing to finance them.

Where are you getting the money from? There's no money. If they have any, they need to spend on bringing to life existing stadiums and make them profitable.

Why would you want new stadiums when there's no money and stadiums already in a bad shape man.

You are stretching it with your comments of their being no money. Yes we don't have funds necessary to build the dams but the funds necessary to upgrade existing stadiums i.e. Rs 3-4 billion can be arranged from the Pakistani economy

 

[Hawkeye]

You are stretching it with your comments of their being no money. Yes we don't have funds necessary to build the dams but the funds necessary to upgrade existing stadiums i.e. Rs 3-4 billion can be arranged from the Pakistani economy

Those funds can be arranged but for higher priority things directly relevant to the population.

For stadiums PCB will need to finance on their own. Do they have those billions to upgrade 3-4 stadiums? Bring them to international standard? Psh, Pindi are in a really bad shape.

It won't be only 3 billion btw.

 

[OmaIR1]

What's the situation on the Rafi Cricket Stadium?

 

[The Viper]

Ehsan Mani's comments during press conference today with regards to the stadiums and facilities for the next PSL

Multan stadium looks like it will be a venue next year.

 

[Savak]

Those funds can be arranged but for higher priority things directly relevant to the population.

For stadiums PCB will need to finance on their own. Do they have those billions to upgrade 3-4 stadiums? Bring them to international standard? Psh, Pindi are in a really bad shape.

It won't be only 3 billion btw.

Cricket is a demand and lifeline of the population, it is a distractions from the other depressing things in life. The PCB is actually taking the position that no Cricket Board in the world is responsible for maintaining and upgrading stadiums, this is the responsibility of the regional associations as is the practice in England and Australia.

Ehsan Mani has already told the Sindh Govt and KPK governments who were requesting for future PSL games to be held in Hyderabad and Peshawar that they will be responsible for upgrading the local stadiums, not the PCB.

Sethi threw the figure in a recent interview that it will take Rs 3-4 billion to upgrade existing stadiums.

 

[Savak]

What's the situation on the Rafi Cricket Stadium?

That is Bahria Town's responsibility and it appears thats not even on Malik Riaz's mind or list of priorities atm. Work has stalled for almost a year on this stadium.

 

[CleverSir]

Let’s work on upgrading existing easy to access, large stadiums. Places where it will be easier to convince foreign teams to come play. Quit these pipe dream locations. Lahore, Faisalabad, Pindi, Multan, and Karachi. Those are the main centers. For now focus their in a short term (5-8) year plan. And long term in smaller urban centers, Peshawar, Sialkot, (maybe) Quetta, Hyderabad, Abbotabad. Gawadar is going to grow so maybe have a 15 year plan there. As events in the last month have shown, the less developed, especially northern areas in territorial areas is not sustainable. No foreign player is gonna wanna go there. Heck, I wouldn’t if I was a foreign player. Before you think I don’t know anything about the area, I’ve visited recently. It is a beautiful area to visit. Not a place for international cricket.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Progress in Muzaffarabad and Pindi has been made.

 

[ataullah]

A PSL match here at muzaffarabad would be Brilliant with a full house but PCB will take an age upgrading stadium

 

[sweep_shot]

Azad Kashmir is quite beautiful. Would love to see cricket there.