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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday said that there was no need to require permission from Karachi Development Authority (KDA) to develop the PCB Club, likely to be inaugurated March 23 next year.

As suspicion grew amongst the masses regarding the legality of the PCB Club, to be constructed on the left side as soon as one enters the National Stadium, the PCB representatives clarified that lease agreement with KDA allows them to go-ahead with the project likely to earn the board Rs 600 million. "According to the lease agreement (with the KDA), the PCB can convert 40 per cent of its 37 acres of land into commercial," the representative claimed. No KDA official was available to verify the claim of the PCB.

The area, on which the PCB launches the multi-million dollar project, has remained one of the most disputed pieces of land. A decade ago, it was awarded to `celebrities' of the city by the local government. However, the well-wishers of the PCB filed suits and involved the competent authorities before succeeding in getting it back from the land grabbers.

The present PCB hierarchy, in an effort to avoid the past, developed a cricket ground on the right side at an estimated cost of Rs1.6million which provided the facility-starved enthusiasts of the city with an excellent playing infrastructure. To utilize the barren space on the left side, the PCB has now decided to launch a PCB Club which will have indoor games gymnasium, tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pools, bowling alley, children playing area, jogging track, banquet hall, library and auditorium.

With the PCB expecting the project to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs50 million, it also decided to construct a special enclosure for the PCB Club members when the National Stadium undergoes face lifting and increase in capacity sometime this year. "Each of the first 500 members will get two complimentary tickets for any international or domestic match played at the National Stadium. This facility is upto 10 years and we are confident that even if this (PCB) setup goes, the successors will honour our commitment."

The PCB representative dismissed claims that the project was still in thin air. "The final presentation of the designing and planning of the PCB Club will be done as soon the top PCB officials return from London. "As soon as we get the PCB advisory council's approval, contract will be awarded and the project will start, hopefully in September. "People may call it an imaginary project because no development work is being done. But the PCB is confident that once the work starts, it will attract more people."

The PCB representative said 200 membership forms have already been taken by the individuals while quite a few multi-national companies were showing interest in the project. For the PCB Club membership, the PCB has chalked out two structures. The membership before inauguration is at Rs300,000 and can be paid in three instalments (Rs100,000 with the application form, another Rs100,000 within the next six months and the final Rs100,000 at the time of club's inauguration). However, the membership fee will be Rs500,000 (no instalments) after the inauguration of the PCB Club.

"According to the tentative planning, we will award 100 memberships (before inauguration) which means the PCB will earn Rs30 million which is sufficient to launch this massive project. "Once the project kicks off, people will pour in for membership and the PCB can invest more to the development and finishing of the PCB Club.

"The objective is to provide excellent atmosphere to the residents of this city. The PCB is entering into this project because it feels that besides promoting cricket, it has a responsibility to provide healthy environment to the public." Despite an attractive and appealing project, the PCB are scratching their heads when it comes to deciding the parking space when the National Stadium stages international matches.

Since the attendance is low in Tests, the PCB are little concerned. But it is the one-day internationals which worries the administrators, particularly in the background that according to the new proposal, the National Stadium will have a seating capacity of around 70,000.

"One of the proposals is to construct underground parking for around 500 vehicles which is likely to cost Rs 20million. The final answer could be to restrict parking in the Steel Mill ground, adjacent to the National Stadium. "But yes, parking is an issue which requires a lot of thinking and planning. But we are confident that we will comeup with an amicable solution."

© Dawn