Sports Revival in Shah Faisal Town as Historic Ground Restored

By: Aziz Khatri

 KARACHI: In a significant boost to grassroots sports, the historic Bilal Friends Cricket Ground in Bilal Colony, Sector D, Shah Faisal Town, has been formally reopened following comprehensive rehabilitation and development work.

Previously rendered unusable due to heaps of garbage and stagnant sewage water, the ground has now been fully restored, cleaned, and leveled, with the addition of modern facilities including artificial lighting. The initiative is being seen as a major step toward promoting healthy activities and constructive engagement among local youth.

The restoration was carried out under the supervision of Town Chairman Gohar Khattak, whose efforts were widely appreciated by residents and sports enthusiasts. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by former captain of Bilal Friends Cricket Club, Kareem Bakhsh, symbolising the revival of the ground’s sporting legacy.

Also present on the occasion were Union Council Chairman Salman Khan and Ward 2 Councillor Zahid Gul. A large number of local youth and members of the sports community attended the ceremony and expressed enthusiasm over the reopening.

During the event, Councillor Zahid Gul praised ongoing development projects in Ward 2, Gulzar Colony, and presented a special gift to the Town Chairman and UC Chairman in recognition of their leadership and commitment to public service.

Bilal Friends Cricket Ground has historically served as a nursery for talented cricketers from the locality. Its restoration is being viewed as a landmark initiative aimed at encouraging youth participation in sports and fostering a positive community environment.

To mark the reopening, a friendly exhibition match was played between Bilal Friends Cricket Club and Shah Faisal Town’s Director Eleven. In a thrilling contest, Bilal Friends Cricket Club secured victory by a narrow margin of one run, adding excitement to the celebrations.

Residents termed the rehabilitation of the ground a crucial step toward building a brighter and healthier future for the youth of the area.