A sports complex in the south-eastern Lebanese village of Kawkaba received a major facelift recently with the support of UNIFIL Indian peacekeepers.
Initially established in 2001 by Indian peacekeepers, the Sardar Patel Sports Complex – named after a founding father of the Republic of India – required a major rehabilitation and the UNIFIL peacekeepers immediately jumped in.
Over the past months, they carried out upgradation work and basic infrastructural development, including construction of a new basketball facility, installation of safety nets and lights, as well as re-painting.
On 11 July, Indian Ambassador to Lebanon Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan joined UNIFIL Sector East Commander Brigadier General Marcos Llago Navarro, Indian Battalion Commander Colonel Narayan Singh Bhati, Mayor of Kawkaba Dr Elie Abou Nakoul and Lebanese Army representatives at the opening of the complex.
The project, funded by the Government of India through its Embassy in Beirut, is expected to further strengthen the bond between UNIFIL peacekeepers and the host communities of Kawkaba.