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Sharjah: Residents have raised their concerns over the lack of recreational areas since they are not allowed to play games such as cricket in parks.
"The men who like to play cricket probably have a limited income, so they cannot socialise in places other than in parks. It is dangerous and unreasonable for them to play at building sites," said Ryan Hall, a resident who recently saw a group of cricketers being told to evacuate Ittihad Park.
It is a common sight in Sharjah to see bachelors playing a game of cricket on asphalt ground or sandy areas between residential buildings at night or during weekends, as they are currently prohibited by Sharjah Municipality from playing in parks.
Residents have urged the municipality to ease the rules and to provide allocated recreational areas for playing sports.
"I always see men playing cricket in parking lots on Fridays, and it is a shame because they have nowhere else to go. The parks should provide special areas for people to play sports, so that they can enjoy their off-days properly," said Ajay K.
An official at Sharjah Municipality confirmed that it is prohibited to play cricket in parks because it is a hazard to children and other park visitors who might get hit by the ball.
"People need a large area of land if they want to play cricket, so park visitors may find themselves caught in the middle, and that is very dangerous," said Abdullah Al Shwaikh, spokesperson of Sharjah Municipality.
If residents want to play on a plot of land in the city, they are required to first gain the permission of the landowner and then receive a formal approval from the municipality, according to Al Shwaikh.
"There is an allocated space near Al Saja'a industrial area if people want to play cricket, and sometimes the municipality sponsors the games. If they have permission from the landowners, then there is no problem for them to play on concrete or sandy areas," he said.
There are more than 35 parks and public gardens in Sharjah that are equipped with security guards who monitor that the rules are adhered to.
A number of residential parks is expected to be opened this year, at, among other Al Fayha, Al Mamzar, Al Nud, Al Manakh, in addition to a women's park near the Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped on Emirates Road.
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