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From Sitara-i-Imtiaz to Hilal-i-Imtiaz: KP Sports Personalities in Pakistan’s Civil Awards

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has had a notable presence among Pakistani sportspersons honoured with national civil awards, with several prominent athletes receiving recognition for their contributions to sport over the years. The Government of Pakistan’s 2017 Civil Awards , announced by the Cabinet Division on March 14, 2018, included three sportspersons from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan and all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi were awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in the field of cricket. Karate player Khalid Noor , also from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, received the President’s Award for Pride of Performance . The same 2017 notification also named Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in cricket, while Najia Rasool received the President’s Award for Pride of Performance in taekwondo and Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Jabbar Bhatti received the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for mountaineering. Afridi receives ano...
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School Hockey Final Exposes Lack of Basic Facilities for Young Players

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: An alarming situation emerged during the final of the Inter-School District Hockey Tournament, where young players were left without even basic refreshments. The final was played between Government Higher Secondary School Chamkani and Government Higher Secondary School Cantt No. 2 , with the participating players largely comprising students of seventh and eighth grades . For several of these young players, it was reportedly their first experience playing on a professional hockey turf. Despite the physical demands of the match, no proper arrangement for refreshments was made for the young players . As the game progressed, several children became visibly tired. During the break, some players continued drinking water in an effort to cope with physical exhaustion. In a particularly telling scene, teachers accompanying the teams had brought candies and sugarcane pieces themselves for the children. Instead of an organiz...
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merged Sports Directorate funds: Rs57.48 million budget, only Rs8.59 million spent in first part of 2026-27

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Peshawar: The merged Sports Directorate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been allocated a total budget of Rs57.48 million under various heads for the financial year 2026-27 , while Rs48.52 million has been released against the allocation. According to the available financial details, expenditure so far stands at Rs8.59 million , leaving Rs39.92 million from the released amount. The figures show that approximately 17.72 percent of the released funds had been utilized, while around 82.28 percent remained unspent. A substantial portion of the allocation is earmarked for employees' salaries and allowances. The basic pay heads alone account for Rs25.869 million , representing about 45 percent of the total budget . Under the basic pay head A01101 , Rs18.894 million was allocated, against which Rs3.096 million has been spent, leaving Rs15.797 million. Another Rs6.975 million was allocated under A01151, with expenditure of Rs833,550 ...
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Young All-Round Athlete Babar Zia’s Tragic Death Raises Questions for Pakistan’s Sports System

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Babar Zia, a talented young athlete from Khyber district, was associated with athletics, gymnastics and swimming . We express our deep sorrow and grief over his tragic death. May Allah Almighty grant him the highest place in Jannah and give patience and strength to his family. Ameen. According to the information available, Babar Zia was attempting to travel abroad in search of better opportunities when he reportedly died in an accident. His body is still awaiting repatriation to Pakistan. Babar’s death is not only a tragedy for his family. It also raises serious questions about the circumstances faced by young athletes who struggle to find opportunities, financial support and a secure future in their own country. If a talented young athlete feels compelled to seek a better future abroad, and that journey ends in tragedy, questions must be asked about the opportunities and support available to athletes at home. Developing sp...
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Questions Raised Over Rs37.526 Million Spent on Tirah Cricket Stadium

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: Detailed information has been sought from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports and Youth Affairs Department regarding Rs37.526 million spent so far on the Tirah Cricket Stadium project, including construction measurements, verification of bills, site inspections and the current progress of the project. An application submitted under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013 states that the approved PC-I cost of the Tirah Cricket Stadium (AIP) project is Rs49.918 million, while available official financial records show expenditure of Rs37,526,731 so far. The RTI application seeks a certified copy of the notification or office order issued for supervision of the project and physical monitoring of the construction work. It also seeks a date-wise record of site inspections conducted by the officers responsible for monitoring the project. The applicant has specifically asked which officer carried out the constructio...
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Rs37.5m spent on Tirah Cricket Stadium, but verification remains a key question

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: More than Rs37.5 million has been spent on the Tirah Cricket Stadium project in Khyber district , according to official financial records, raising questions about the physical progress of the project, the nature of work carried out and the officials responsible for verifying the construction before payments were released. The project, titled “Upgradation of Tirah Cricket Stadium (AIP),” has an approved PC-I cost of Rs49.918 million . Against the total estimated cost, expenditure recorded so far stands at Rs37,526,731 , representing around 75 per cent of the approved project cost. According to the financial record, the expenditure was made through three bills. The first bill amounted to Rs6,354,339 , the second R/bill to Rs10,861,489 , and the third R/bill to Rs20,310,903 . The three payments bring the total recorded expenditure to Rs37,526,731 . However, the expenditure figures alone do not establish the extent ...
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What Happens When a Hockey Turf Is Not Watered? Impact on Players, Safety and Playing Quality

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Watering a synthetic hockey field is not simply about keeping the surface wet. For water-based synthetic hockey pitches, proper irrigation is an important part of maintaining playing quality, player safety and the performance of the playing surface. When a water-based hockey turf does not receive adequate water, the effects can extend beyond the appearance of the field. Water helps regulate the interaction between the ball and the playing surface, reduce friction and maintain the characteristics required for high-quality hockey. Hockey is a fast-paced sport in which players sprint, change direction suddenly, slide and frequently fall on the playing surface. On a dry synthetic surface, falls and slides can result in greater friction against the skin, increasing the possibility of abrasions and carpet burns, particularly on the knees, elbows, hands and arms. Water also plays a role in controlling the temperature of the playing ...
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Four Months On, KP Hockey Association Still Waiting for Women’s Hockey Equipment

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  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association is still waiting for hockey equipment meant for its women players, with the matter reportedly stuck in an inquiry for nearly four months. The equipment, including goalkeeper kits, hockey sticks, hockey balls and other essential items , was reportedly kept with the former Female Additional Director General of Sports and later placed at the female hostel. The KP Hockey Association subsequently approached the relevant authorities in writing, requesting that the equipment be handed over to the association for use by its players. Instead, the association was informed that an inquiry into the matter was under way. Nearly four months later, the inquiry has yet to produce a final decision. According to information available, former Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider referred the matter to the Director of Merged Districts. However, no final decision has reportedly been tak...
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Doping Tests in Pakistan: How Many, Where and By Whom?

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  How effective and transparent is the anti-doping testing system in Pakistan? Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator KIKXNOW has approached the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) seeking detailed information about doping control activities in Pakistan during 2025 and 2026 . The media inquiry seeks answers to several important questions: 🔹 How many doping tests were conducted in Pakistan during 2025 and 2026? 🔹 How many were In-Competition and how many were Out-of-Competition tests? 🔹 How many urine and blood samples were collected? 🔹 In which cities, competitions, training camps and sports facilities were samples collected? 🔹 What role did the Anti-Doping Organization of Pakistan (ADOPak) play in testing during this period? 🔹 Where were samples collected in Pakistan sent for analysis, and which WADA-accredited or WADA-approved laboratories analyzed them? 🔹 How many Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) were reported from samples collect...
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Millions Spent, Track Coming Apart Before Inauguration

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  Questions raised over quality of new tartan track at Peshawar Sports Complex Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: The newly constructed tartan track at Peshawar Sports Complex has reportedly started coming apart at different locations even though the facility has yet to receive its formal inauguration. A portion of the track had earlier begun lifting near the outside of the main entrance. Another damaged section has now appeared alongside the football ground, raising questions over construction quality, technical supervision and the durability of the project. The issue is particularly significant because provincial officials had publicly described the project as an international-standard facility for athletes. In January 2026, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said the tartan track was in its final stages of completion. During an inspection, the provincial sports adviser directed officials to ensure that there was no compromise on construction quali...
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