Posts

Targeting New Athletes While the System Fails: Why District Sports Officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Have Their Hands Tied

musarrat ullah jan -
  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has repeatedly emphasized the need for every district to produce talented athletes capable of competing at provincial, national, and international levels. District Sports Officers (DSOs) are consistently assigned this responsibility and are expected to identify young talent, organize competitions, and develop future champions. On paper, this objective appears both reasonable and necessary. Every province needs a structured grassroots sports system to ensure a continuous supply of athletes. However, the reality across most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tells a very different story. While the government demands results from District Sports Officers, it has failed to provide them with the authority, financial resources, coaching staff, and administrative support required to achieve those results. This raises a fundamental question: Is it fair to hold District Sports Officers accountable for fail...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Were the KP Olympic Association Elections Postponed? Big Questions over Constitution, IOC Reforms, PSB Policy, and Unaffiliated Associations

musarrat ullah jan -
  Musarat Ullah Jan kikxNow, Digital Creator PESHAWAR: The elections for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association (KPOA) were last held on February 13, 2022, for a four-year term. Following the completion of this constitutional tenure, fresh elections were scheduled for February 2026. However, despite the deadline passing, the electoral process has yet to begin. The primary reason behind this delay is cited as the ongoing amendments to the KPOA constitution. These changes are being made to align the framework with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) updated Olympic Charter and the new governance guidelines issued by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). According to Zulfiqar Butt, the Secretary of the KP Olympic Association, the POA has granted a six-month extension to the current administration to adapt the constitution to these new requirements. He stated that the elections will only be held once the new constitution is formally approved by the General Council....
Post a Comment
Read more

"Without Four Hours of Practice and Obsession, You Cannot Become a Champion": Former World No. 2 Mohibullah Khan Laments Decline in Pakistan Squash

musarrat ullah jan -
  Musarat Ullah Jan kikxNow, Digital Creator PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Former World No. 2 squash player and veteran coach Mohibullah Khan believes Pakistan's decline in world squash is not due to a lack of talent, but because today's players no longer possess the discipline, work ethic, and passion that once made the country a dominant force in the sport. Speaking in an interview, the former international star criticized the training habits of the current generation, saying many players spend only an hour training in the morning and another hour in the evening, while remaining distracted by their mobile phones. "If they keep standing with mobile phones in their hands, they will make a name on social media, not in squash," Mohibullah said. Comparing the present era with his own playing days, he said he trained for two hours every morning and another two hours every evening. Even today, he advises young players to practice for at least four hours daily and develop a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Merit or Manipulation? Pakistan Hockey's Selection Process Faces Tough Questions

musarrat ullah jan -
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sports Development in Buner or a Boom in Budget Spending?

musarrat ullah jan -
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

KP Sports Department Overhauls Coach Recruitment Criteria: A Comparative Analysis of the 2017 and 2026 Hiring Policies

musarrat ullah jan -
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where Has Dera Ismail Khan's Boxing Ring Worth Millions Gone? Conflicting Claims Raise Fresh Questions

musarrat ullah jan -
  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,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bannu Sub-Division Sports Office Budget Tripled While Key Sports Posts Remained Vacant

musarrat ullah jan -
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Public Sports Facility or Private Tournament? Serious Questions Over Swabi Sports Complex Tap Ball Event

musarrat ullah jan -
  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. ...
Post a Comment
Read more