TDT | Manama

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Bouri Sports Club should put its land and property to work to fund new grounds and facilities for its 300 members, administrators and players, MP Dr Muneer Suroor has said.

The call came as he met the club's board to discuss plans for a new southern entrance, more parking, an expanded site and investment in one of its property assets.

Dr Suroor said clubs needed to build their own income rather than depend heavily on outside support, with property and business deals helping pay for sport, youth programmes and better facilities.

“The time calls for moving from the club that waits for support to the club that creates opportunities,” he said.

He said stronger finances would give clubs more room to train young players, run activities across age groups and compete at a higher level.

The MP also pressed for more sport for young people in Bouri, which has no youth centre. He said that made the club's role all the more important.

Dr Suroor held the talks with club chairman Mohammed Yousif, with investment and expansion high on the agenda.

They discussed drawing investors to the club's assets, making use of land on the southern side of the clubhouse and building a new entrance and car parks there.

The two sides also spoke about joint sports and community schemes and possible changes to sports laws.

Dr Suroor said the General Sports Authority, clubs, businesses and community groups should work together to help sports clubs earn more of their own income and grow.

Bouri Sports Club has been active in sport and cultural work for almost 50 years.

Dr Suroor said the village was due for major infrastructure work under the Bouri Detailed Plan and urged the club to seek more space and better facilities as part of those plans.

Mr Yousif said the board wanted to bring investors into the club's property schemes and make use of the southern side of its grounds following the removal of pipes there.

He also called for a new clubhouse and modern playing fields to be included in the detailed plan as Bouri is developed as a model town.