Cabinet nod to lease State land for futsal indoor stadiums

• Pakistan Govt. grant to construct 2 artificial tracks at Torrington and Sugathadasa sports complexes

By Charumini de Silva

In a bid to promote the sport of futsal, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved leasing State land to private investors for the construction of indoor futsal stadiums. 

The proposal presented by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando, aims to expand the sport by utilising a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The approved plan will see Government-owned playground premises and lands leased to private investors for an 80-year period. 

Futsal, a football-associated game, is played on an artificial pitch within an indoor stadium measuring 40×20 meters with a height of four meters. The sport has seen a significant increase in popularity, leading to the construction of several indoor stadiums in urban areas.

The selected private investors will be responsible for constructing the futsal indoor stadiums on the identified government lands and sports complex premises.

Additionally, the proposal includes the construction of two artificial tracks provided as a grant by the Pakistani Government. These tracks will be installed at the Torrington and Sugathadasa sports complexes.