VEHARI: Gymnasiums in Burewala and Vehari could not be operational despite the fact that the chief minister had performed the inauguration ceremony on Feb 13, 2013.

The gyms are awaiting funds for the provision of various facilities.

The Burewala gymnasium is situated near Quaid-i-Azam Stadium. Work on the project was started on Dec 22, 2008, and it was to be completed in February 2013 at a cost of Rs64.6 million.

The gymnasium will have facilities for 15 indoor sports activities such as table tennis, badminton, gym, boxing, volley ball, bodybuilding and snooker.

Ali Abbas, a badminton player, said on the one hand the government had made tall claims about welfare of youth and holding a `youth festival` while on to the other, youthorientated projects were being put on the bacl< burner.

People of the area and players including Ramzan, Akram, Shafique and Gohar alleged that the provincial buildings depart-ment contractor used substandard material in the construction of the project. They said during recent monsoon season the roof of the gymnasium developed cracks.

When contacted, District Officer (Sports) Ghulam Murtaza said the provincial government had approved three sports gymnasium for Vehari, Burewala and Mailsi in 2008. He said the Burewala and Vehari gyms were `completed` in 2012 and `the Mailsi project is under construction`.He said the Vehari sports department had sent a letter to the Punjab government for providing indoor sports equipment and required staff but did not get any response.

Murtaza said work on the Mailsi gym was suspended as the contractor had been declared defaulter.

He said the Vehari gym had been constructed at a cost of Rs60m while Rs70m would be spent on the Mailsi project.

During a visit to the Vehari sports gym-nasium situated at Multan Road, Dawn found damaged doors of the building. It seemed that the building was being used by drug pushers.

According to a source, thieves took away two water pumps, a transformer of 200kv and a large quantity of electricity wire.

Murtaza said the theft took place owing to non-availability of security staff; however, a new transformer was installed a few days back.

He said the Asian Development Bank had provided funds for the establishment of three gymnasiums in the district.

Talking to this correspondent, provincial buildings department SDO Nisar Husain said both the gymnasiums had already been handed over to the sports department in February 2013, `and missing facilities and sports equipment is not the responsibility of the buildings department`.

On the other hand, Murtaza denied that the gymnasium had been handed over to the sports department.

A player, Zafarullah Chaudhry, said various parts of the gym including grills, doors, floor, electric boards were in precarious condition. He said players had no option except to join private gyms and pay heavy dues.

He has appealed to the Punjab government to provide required equipment and security staff.