Lease of Kunj Football Ground cancelled unlawfully by TMA Abbottabad

Lease of Kunj Football Ground cancelled unlawfully by TMA Abbottabad

Lahore – August 29, 2024 ; Nawaz Gohar

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has expressed its deep concern over the recent one-sided unlawful decision by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Abbottabad to cancel the lease agreement of the Kunj Football Ground.

The lease was agreed upon by the Tehsil Council Abbottabad in a session held on September 11, 2006, and executed a lease agreement in March 2008, ending in March 2038.

The lease, originally agreed upon for a term of 30 years, was canceled, which is an unlawful act, not adhering to the terms of the lease agreement.

Following a detailed one-sided report submitted on July 31, 2024, and subsequent consultations, the Local Council Board, in its communication dated August 1, 2024, approved the cancellation of the lease and recommended that the Kunj Football Ground be transferred to the Sports Department Abbottabad under a new lease agreement.

This decision was made without any consultation with the Pakistan Football Federation and is solely based on a one-sided report as the lease cancellation letter was communicated to PFF on Thursday (August 29, 2024) by the TMA officials.

PFF, with funding from the FIFA Goal Project, has completed significant upgrades to the facility, transforming it into a center of football excellence that benefits the youth and local football enthusiasts.

The cancellation disregards the significant financial and technical investments made by FIFA through the Goal Project, which were aimed at enhancing football infrastructure in Pakistan.