KikxNow , Digital Creator

  Musarat Ullah Jan kikxNow, Digital Creator Pakistan hockey is once again under the spotlight, not because of performances on the field, but because of growing concerns over transparency, merit, and governance. Recent allegations surrounding the selection of the Pakistan Junior Women's National Hockey Team have reignited an old debate: Is merit still the foundation of national team selection, or has it become little more than an official slogan? According to concerns raised within hockey circles, some players were allegedly shortlisted before the National Championship had concluded. Reports have also suggested that travel documentation and administrative arrangements for certain players had already begun before the tournament ended. While these claims remain unverified, they have raised legitimate questions that deserve clear answers from the relevant authorities. The issue extends beyond individual selections. If the National Championship is intended to identify the count...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan, Kikxnow , Digital Creator Public spending on sports is meant to create better facilities, stronger athletes, and more opportunities for young people. But when multiple government bodies allocate funds for similar objectives without clear coordination, questions about efficiency and accountability become unavoidable. That appears to be the case in Buner during the 2025-26 financial year. On one hand, the District Government allocated Rs. 9.447 million for sports promotion. On the other, the Directorate of Sports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved a separate PC-I worth Rs. 7 million for an event titled "Gul Da Numair." Together, the two allocations amount to Rs. 16.447 million for sports-related activities in a single district within one financial year. The question is not whether sports deserve funding. They certainly do. The question is whether public money has been allocated strategically and spent in a way that creates lasting benefits. A revi...

Educational standards raised, age limit lowered, and eligibility expanded to provincial and regional athletes under the new ETEA recruitment framework. Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: A comparison of recruitment advertisements issued by the Directorate General of Sports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reveals significant changes in the department's hiring policy for coaches over the past nine years. The analysis is based on the 2017 National Testing Service (NTS) advertisement and the July 2026 Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) recruitment notice. According to the available documents, the 2017 recruitment policy required applicants for Deputy Coach (BPS-10) positions to have a minimum qualification of Second Division Matriculation , with an age limit of 25 to 40 years . The policy was designed to accommodate experienced candidates with extensive coaching backgrounds. In contrast, the July 2026 advertisement has substantially revised the eligibility...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator The disappearance of a government-owned boxing ring in Dera Ismail Khan has raised serious concerns, with conflicting statements from officials adding to the controversy. According to sources, the boxing ring was purchased around 20 years ago at a cost of approximately Rs. 2.2 million . With current market prices, its estimated value has increased significantly and is now believed to be worth several million rupees. Sources say the boxing ring was issued for a sporting event in August last year . Although officials claimed it was returned after the event, it never made its way back to the district boxing arena. Local boxers say the absence of the ring has severely affected training activities. Regular practice sessions have nearly stopped, aspiring athletes are losing interest in the sport, and existing boxers are unable to train properly due to the lack of essential equipment. The issue became even more controversial when,...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator BANNU: Official budget and staffing records reviewed by this correspondent reveal that the budget of the Regional Sports Office in Bannu Sub-Division increased by more than three times during the financial year, while key technical positions responsible for sports development remained vacant. According to the official budget documents, the office was initially allocated Rs. 9.194 million. During the financial year, the allocation was revised upward to Rs. 27.502 million. Official expenditure records show that Rs. 27.260 million was spent, leaving an unspent balance of Rs. 242,106. The largest increase was recorded under the Sports Promotion head. The original allocation of Rs. 3 million was revised to Rs. 17.631 million, and almost the entire amount was utilized. However, the available budget documents do not specify how these Sports Promotion funds were distributed among tournaments, athlete development, sports equipment, infr...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator A promotional poster circulating widely on social media has raised significant questions about the proposed District Swabi Tap Ball Cricket Tournament 2026, allegedly scheduled to be held at the government-owned Swabi Sports Complex, Bamkhel. The poster advertises a Rs. 6,000 entry fee per team, cash prizes, and prominently displays the photograph of a sitting Member of the National Assembly (MNA), creating the impression that the event carries official or political backing. However, when questions were raised, the situation became increasingly unclear. According to the District Sports Officer (DSO) Swabi, the Directorate of Sports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not issued any NOC or official approval for the tournament. The DSO further stated that the event is not an approved activity of the Sports Directorate and that organizers have been informed that no event can be held at the Sports Complex without the required permissions. ...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator PESHAWAR: The 48-minute E-Khuli Kachehri organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports and Youth Affairs Department was intended to provide citizens with direct access to senior officials, including the Secretary Sports and the Director General Sports. While the initiative was designed as a platform for public engagement, the discussion revealed something much deeper. Rather than isolated complaints, it exposed a province-wide pattern of long-standing issues affecting athletes, sports facilities, youth development, and governance. Participants from different districts used the opportunity to raise concerns that have remained unresolved for years. Their questions reflected frustration over neglected infrastructure, the shortage of coaches, inactive sports complexes, delayed development projects, lack of youth programs, and the absence of transparency in the use of public funds. Although the complaints came from different regions ...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan ,KikxNow ,Digital Creator PESHAWAR: Official planning documents (PC-I) prepared for the "Bannu Kabaddi Cup at Regional Level" proposed a budget of Rs30 million for the event, including travel allowances, sports kits, cash prizes, media coverage, and opening and closing ceremonies. According to the PC-I, the event budget included: Rs585,000 for Travel and Daily Allowance (TA/DA) for 130 players over three days. Rs135,000 for the purchase of 135 sports shorts (knickers) . Rs800,000 for opening and closing ceremony arrangements, including fireworks. Rs500,000 for media promotion, including social media. Rs150,000 for TA/DA of technical officials and organizers. Rs380,000 for trophies, medals, and shields. Rs350,000 for cash prizes for the winning and runner-up teams. Rs100,000 for refreshments. The total estimated cost of the event was Rs30 million , according to the planning document. ...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan ,KikxNow ,Digital Creator PESHAWAR: Despite winning medals at national competitions, Kabaddi players in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to struggle without basic sports facilities. KP Kabaddi Association Secretary Sultan Bari has revealed that the province's female team recently secured a bronze medal at the National Games in Karachi, while the men's team won the gold medal at the Quaid-e-Azam Games. However, the players still do not have a proper Kabaddi mat for training. According to Bari, former Director General Sports Abdul Nasir Mohmand had promised to provide a Kabaddi mat and complete cement work for the playing area after the team's gold medal victory. Following his transfer, neither promise was fulfilled. "If our players can win gold and bronze medals without proper facilities, imagine what they could achieve with modern infrastructure," Bari said. He stated that Kabaddi is widely played across Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Swabi, Chars...