While inaugurating the facility, Dr. Ehtasham Anwar, Secretary of School Education South Punjab told that the total cost of this initiative was Rs. 5 million . He further said that the project will not only help to nurture the young talent of cricket in South Punjab but will also add to the beautification of the ancient city. He said that the facility would be run on a sustainable basis. He appreciated great support from the curators and other workers who completed the project in four months.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony M. Anees Khawaja, Chairman SPCA said that, in order to fulfil the vision of Chairman PCB, Ramiz Raja, the Southern Punjab Cricket Association has developed 8 new hybrid pitches with the support of PCB, developed three grounds and intended to develop 20 more grounds in South Punjab. We will further make this GMHS ground of the first-class standard, he added. This ground will be a hub of U-13. U-16 and girls’ cricket and we will have three-day school league at this ground to promote cricket in the regions, he said.
Dr. Abdul Saboor, CEO-SPCA, said that this cricket ground is equipped with the first hybrid pitch in South Punjab in any educational institute which will contribute to producing more young talented cricketers in south Punjab.
At the occasion MOU signing ceremony was also held. M. Anees Khawaja (Chairman SPCA) and Dr. Abdul Saboor (CEO- SPCA) exchanged the MoU with Dr. Ehtasham Anwar (Secretary Education-south Punjab) and Shamsher Ahmed Khan (CEO Education department). This agreement is a first ever example of Public private partnership for the development of cricket infra-structure in Cricket Sector.
The opening also featured an exhibition match between two finalist teams of U-16 school tournament i.e, Falcon Grammar School and model high school. Appreciation awards were also presented to all the major stakeholders of this unique venture.