The Little Public Grounds of Mariabad

“Though I love Ronaldo, if he plays against my team, I will surely beat his team. Respect aside!” Says Ali Raza; a school going student, who wants to be a player of Pakistani football team. But has less opportunities in Quetta.

People may become disappointed of the sports when opportunities are not provided by the government and the local sponsors, especially in a backward province like Balochistan, however there are people too, who do not look for the opportunities, instead they try to create ones for themselves. – It is not possible to have every facility of life in a small area of the city, but people who look after it, try to create as many facilities as possible.

The aged people of the Hazara community, along with the students of Mariabad, have turned a landfill site of Quetta city into two small football grounds for theemselves, calling it “Public Grounds”, where children and players of local teams go to play football every day.

Natural grass has been planted in these minor football grounds for the young players, so that they practice and improve their skills.

“It will not only keep the environment clean and fresh, but also create more opportunities for the children to learn and play football better.” Says Master Sadaat, who has been the part of the team which worked on the creation of the ‘Public Ground’.

He thinks that making a public ground is the need of the time. He says, “Children need it the most, especially in today’s era, when every child is stuck with the tablets and iPads.” He says that we should do something to get them out of the homes, and make them enjoy the nature.

“If we would wait for the government to build a football ground for us. They would take years to build one.” Mr. Sadaat reasons that we; ourselves, should start working for the improvement of the society.

This public ground was a garbage dumb, which was spreading smell and dirt in the area. Despite the presence of the dust-bins in almost every part of Mariabad, people used to throw their garbage in the same spot. “Let the people know that it’s not the place for the garbage, but for the children to play.” Says Master Sadaat.

Children come almost every day to enjoy the football matches in the public grounds. Sometimes they play, and sometimes they come to see the players of different local football teams, practicing in the public ground.

Ali Raza, 15, usually comes to the public ground. He is a student of a government school, where no football ground is available for them to play.

“I often come here to play football in the evening, along with my friends, because I love it.” said Ali Raza.

He plays with his other friends, who are of his own age. “We make teams based on 5 players, since the ground is small. But it is really enjoyable.” He wants to play in the national team of Pakistan, and bring Pakistani team into world cup. “Though I love Ronaldo, if he plays against my team, I will surely beat his team. Respect aside!” He said, while answering a question about his favourite football player.

Mr. Naushad, who has also contributed in the building of the public ground, thinks that it is so shameful for the government that people themselves have made these grounds. He says, “We have two grounds in Mariabad, but their doors are closed for the people.”

He thinks that the grounds should be functional, and players along with children should be allowed to play in there. “The grounds of the Mariabad were made with the fund of the public, but public is not allowed to play there today.”

There are two ground in the area, but closed. The provincial minister of the sports Mr. Abdul Khaliq Hazara also aims to improve the playgrounds situated in Alamdar Road. He says that the fund has been passed for the improvement by the provincial government, but it takes time.

“Chief Minister of Balochistan wants to promote the sports in Balochistan. I have personally talked to him about the play grounds, and he has promised me that he will support me to create opportunities for the people of Balochistan.” Sports Minister said in his statement.

He says that he is trying his best to provide opportunities to the players of football too. “We have promoted cricket, indoor sports, karate and many other sports. This time we are committed to work for the football players.” He believes that we have talent in province, but we need to explore them. “It is so difficult to manage finance for the sports when you have a lot of problems going on in the province, but we have still managed it, since it is our top priority.”

Akbar, who is a player of Star Hazara Football Club is quite happy with the new ground. He thinks that playing in actual grass will help them improve their skills. “Whenever we go for the matches in the provincial and national level, we play on the grass, while normally we are not habitual of that. If we play in here; in the public ground, we will be able to play there better.”

He says that they have been trying to contact and asking the sport secretary and the minister, but they do not respond to the requests. “It is the best option to create grounds for ourselves. Despite the difficulties if we work hard, we can achieve. This is the rule of the world.”