**Punjab Completes Asia’s First Blind Cricket Stadium, Marking a Milestone in Inclusive Sports**
The Sports and Youth Affairs Department of Punjab has announced the completion and official handover of Asia’s first ever stadium dedicated to blind cricket, in a landmark moment for sports inclusion in the region. The ceremony, held at the E-Library and Youth Center of Nishtar Park Sports Complex, brought together provincial and departmental sports officials, champion blind cricket teams, and other notable attendees to celebrate this significant achievement.
Provincial Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, who graced the event as chief guest, emphasized the historical importance of this development, describing it as the proudest day of his tenure. During the event, Lahore Divisional Sports Officer Tanveer Abbas Shah and Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Sultan Shah formally signed and exchanged documents, marking the official transfer of the Rakh Jhedo Blind Cricket Stadium to the PBCC. The gathering also saw the presence of Secretary Sports Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial, Director General Sports Punjab Khizra Afzal Chaudhry, members of the Blind Cricket World Cup winning squad, the women’s blind cricket team, and representatives from all regional blind teams.
Minister Khokhar lauded the initiative as a “historic milestone”, stating that the Punjab government has achieved in five years what would take others five decades. Valuing the new stadium at 140 million rupees, he highlighted that this facility is unparalleled even in neighboring India, and invited the Indian blind cricket team to play in Pakistan’s new stadium, expressing optimism that Pakistan would again claim the trophy.
He attributed the accomplishment to the unwavering commitment of the Punjab Sports Department, noting that Punjab is the first province in Pakistan—and the country itself is the first in Asia—to formally construct a stadium for blind cricket. The Minister credited Chief Minister Punjab’s vision and extended special praise to the Sports Board Punjab’s project management team for their dedication and hard work. He further pledged ongoing support, promising that whenever the Blind Cricket Council needs assistance, the Punjab Sports Board will stand with them.
Beyond blind cricket, Minister Khokhar announced that the Punjab International Squash Complex will be inaugurated within the next two months, and that the province will soon unveil its first baseball ground. He reported that 88 sports schemes are expected to be completed within a year and a half, underscoring Punjab’s active role in developing sporting infrastructure across the province.
Other initiatives highlighted include the launch of summer sports camps and games reaching grassroots talent, the establishment of a Pink Games event, and the creation of the Sports Endowment Fund—all intended to support athletes both in terms of skill development and financial security.
The provincial government’s efforts, said Khokhar, have laid a broad infrastructure network throughout Punjab, cementing the region’s position as a national leader in sports development and inclusivity.
