Former Sports Director Calls for International Cricket Stadium in Regi Lalma to Foster Local Talent
Former Director of Sports, Mir Bashar Khan, has urged authorities to construct a world-class cricket stadium in Regi Lalma, Peshawar, to address the increasing demand for modern sporting facilities amid the city’s rapidly expanding population and the surging popularity of cricket among young people. He emphasized that while existing venues like the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium and Gymkhana Ground are historically significant, they can no longer adequately cater to the region’s growing needs.
Mir Bashar Khan highlighted the urgency of building an international-standard sports complex in Regi, suggesting that the Sports Department’s 320 kanals of available land in the area could be used for the stadium. The proposal includes not only a cricket stadium but also volleyball and tennis courts, an indoor gymnasium, and a residential colony for staff.
The former sports director pointed to the wealth of cricketing talent in Peshawar, noting that many national team players come from this region. He asserted that with improved facilities, so many skilled young athletes would come forward that it would become challenging for selectors to finalize the national squad.
He also welcomed the rise of private cricket grounds and academies in the city’s suburban areas, such as Shah Alam and Phandu Road, where a large number of youths are training regularly. Mir Bashar Khan described this as a positive development and encouraged government support to transform Peshawar into a premier cricket destination.
Advocating for international best practices, he recommended that new stadiums should be built outside densely populated urban centers, as is common in developed countries. This would provide players with more space and a peaceful environment for training and competition.
Mir Bashar Khan concluded by reiterating the need for government-backed cricket infrastructure in Peshawar, stressing that such investments would offer local youth greater opportunities to refine their skills and contribute to the future of Pakistani cricket.
