KikxNow , Digital Creator

    The wooden floor of the old badminton hall in Mardan city has been damaged in several places, creating difficulties for badminton players training there. Shahryar Khan, the President of the Mardan Badminton Association, expressed his concerns about the deteriorating situation in a video message. He stated that the challenges faced by players at the badminton hall are increasing, and he complained that no concrete steps are being taken to promote the sport in the region. He emphasized, "For God's sake, please pay attention to this issue and help the sport develop properly."   According to Shahryar Khan, several government resources have been utilized in attempts to improve the Waseem Zeb Badminton Hall. However, he refrains from discussing the reasons behind the current state of the hall or the amount of money spent. He highlighted that players cannot even afford badminton equipment, and they have exhausted their efforts trying to improve the situation on their o...

  Peshawar: The Directorate General Culture & Tourism Authority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing further scrutiny for allegedly ignoring a citizen's Right to Information (RTI) requests. A complaint has been filed with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission, highlighting the authority's failure to respond to applications submitted nearly three months ago. The applicant, addressing the Chief Information Commissioner, stated that two RTI applications were submitted on January 11, 2025, to the Director General Culture & Tourism Authority , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These applications sought information on several key areas within the department, including details about additional charges held by officials, their official grades and positions, procurement and event management procedures, and information regarding official vehicles and their usage. According to the complainant, despite the significant lapse in time, no response has been received from the Directorate Gene...

  Peshawar:  The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture & Tourism Authority (KPCTA) has drawn criticism for its silence on a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by a local citizen. The application sought crucial documents, including the academic qualifications and verification details of its employees, copies of the Board of Directors' (BOD) regulations, and internal audit reports. The RTI application was submitted on April 7th, 2025. However, despite the legally mandated timeframe for response, the KPCTA has reportedly failed to provide any information. This silence has prompted the applicant to escalate the matter by filing a formal complaint with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Commission. Sources reveal that prior to this RTI request, an official within the KPCTA had allegedly called for all pending RTI applications, including those that have remained unanswered for the past two years. Disappointingly, the current application, along with the backlog, has also ...

  Have you ever wondered if the funds allocated for sports in our country are genuinely being used for the development of sports or if they are just being shown on paper? The 2024-25 report released by the District Sports Office of Upper Chitral raises several questions that need serious attention. According to the report, Zani Pass Festival, an exciting event, allegedly cost 300,000 rupees, which included activities like a marathon race, tug of war, local sports, and ice hockey. But the question arises: was this large sum justified for just a few events? Moreover, are there any pictures, videos, or reports we can see to verify this expense? Another curious situation is with the Shandur Ice Hockey event, where only 30,000 rupees were spent. Despite the event being of greater importance compared to other major events, why was such a small budget allocated for it? Similarly, despite expectations of millions being spent on the Paragliding Competition, only 100,000 rupees were spen...

  In Pakistan, the sports industry has for long been plagued by mismanagement, political intervention, and institutional apathy. Just when sportsmen, coaches, and sports federations begin to believe in a big event to revive the spirit of competition and excellence, a hasty decision dashes their hopes. The recent example is the sudden postponement of the National Games 2025—a decision that has left sportsmen, organizers, and supporters aghast. The National Games are the largest multi-sport event in the nation, and for most athletes, it is a career-defining experience. But this year, the games were delayed without any advance notice, official explanation, or new timeline. Teams had been finalized, training camps were in progress, and the host province had begun logistical preparations. The news was a shock—with no one held accountable. The Ministry of Sports, Pakistan Olympic Association, and the host province all appear to be passing the buck. Nobody is taking responsibility for...

  A recently submitted report by the District Sports Office (DSO) of Upper Chitral for the fiscal year 2023–24 has revealed alarming inconsistencies — from events recorded on future dates to massive spending on select tournaments without proper justification. The discrepancies raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of taxpayer money. One of the most glaring issues is the inclusion of the “Istaro Sports Gala” marked for July 15–20, 2025, yet Rs. 60,000 are already shown as spent. Similarly, events like the Zeyat Cricket Tournament and Boolan Lasht Tournament—scheduled for May and April 2024—have also been included in the 2023–24 financial year budget, despite those months falling after the official fiscal year ends in June. The report also lists a Veteran Football Tournament held in Peshawar, with no date provided but Rs. 99,000 claimed. Peshawar lies outside the jurisdiction of Upper Chitral's DSO, which has its own district sports o...

  The 34th National Games, scheduled to be held in Karachi from May 1 to May 9, 2025, have once again become a victim of controversy and confusion. On April 17, the Sindh Olympic Association issued a notice on its official letterhead via social media, announcing that the Games were being postponed due to "unavoidable circumstances." What followed was silence from the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Government of Sindh—no official stance, no clarification, just ambiguity. Later, another letter surfaced on social media addressed to POA Secretary Khalid Mehmood, claiming extreme heat in Karachi and ongoing student examinations as the reasons for postponement. It’s fair to ask: when the decision to host the Games in May was taken—after an earlier announcement in February—was the organizing committee unaware of Karachi’s weather or the academic calendar? If these were known variables, why were they ignored? Announcing a postponement just 10 days before the event r...

  In a shocking revelation, a human smuggling scandal has surfaced involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate, where forged documents were used to sponsor seven individuals posing as squash players for New Zealand visas. The case, which directly involves internal employees and forged signatures of a former Director General, has been met with official silence—raising serious concerns about political protection and systemic corruption. According to sources, the sponsorship letters used to support the visa applications were drafted within the Sports Directorate itself, carrying forged signatures of the former DG Sports Khalid Mehmood. The forged documents were issued on official government letterheads and bore all necessary credentials to appear authentic. Once the New Zealand embassy flagged the documents and sought verification through official channels, a staff member from the Sports Directorate reportedly confirmed the letters’ authenticity via email—thus clearing the...

    Players' situation enjoying different sports camps at the Peshawar Sports Complex is becoming tough because players chosen to play in different sports like hockey, kabaddi, archery, karate, volleyball, and so on in the upcoming National Games are not getting financial support towards their daily charges. These sportsmen, some of whom come from beyond Peshawar, are being accommodated in the hostel of the Sports Directorate but have not been given allowance for their day-to-day eating. They were assured 1500 rupees a day, but the assurance has not been honored, which would have aided them in covering their day-to-day dietary expenses.   Camps for various sports have begun at various times; some had begun on the 8th of April, and others had begun on the 9th and 10th of April. But these players complain that their fundamental needs are not fulfilled. On the one hand, the players complain that they must be provided with the promised daily allowance at the camp so tha...

  The Bank of Khyber has yet to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on March 19, 2025, seeking details regarding the distribution of funds under the Ehsaas Youth Program. The RTI request asked critical questions, including: How many youth applied for loans or grants under the program? Who were the beneficiaries and how much funding did each receive? What are the names and districts of the businesses funded? What criteria and procedures were followed by the bank? Was any bank guarantee required? What is the repayment process? Has the bank conducted any verification or audits of the businesses? How much total funding has been disbursed, and how much remains? Were any applicants rejected or denied funding? If so, why? Musarrat Ullah Jan, the journalist and applicant behind the RTI, stated, “This is public money, and the public has the right to know how and where it’s being spent. Transparency is essential, especially when the program claim...

  Peshawar: Sara Khan, a renowned archer and coach from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Women’s Commission of the Pakistan Archery Federation. Her appointment was announced during an executive committee meeting of the federation, which was chaired by Colonel (Retd.) Akram Sadaf. This milestone marks not only a significant achievement for Sara Khan but also a new chapter in the development of sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country. During the meeting, Sara Khan's invaluable contributions to the field of archery were acknowledged, and her appointment was celebrated as a major step towards the development of archery in the province, especially for women athletes. Her leadership is expected to open new doors for the promotion of archery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and her appointment is seen as a huge success for women in the sport. Sara Khan has extensive experience in archery, both as a competitor and as a coach. Her passion for the sport ...

  Peshawar: On January 7, 2025, a formal application was sent to the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) requesting detailed information regarding the availability of sports facilities in private educational institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, despite the passage of several months, no response has been received to date. As a result, a reminder application was submitted on April 12, 2025, urging the authorities to address the issue of sports infrastructure in schools. The initial request sought information on several critical aspects, including the number of private schools with dedicated sports grounds, access to government-owned stadiums, available sports facilities within schools (such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and sports fields), and details of qualified sports teaching staff. This issue has gained prominence due to the growing concern over the state of physical education in the province’s private schools. Many schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lack pro...

    In Shangla, a deprived district lacking sports facilities, millions of rupees are allocated annually for sports development, yet the results are non-existent. A critical review of the official reports for 2023-24 and 2024-25 reveals that the government's narrative of sports development is confined to paperwork. The information provided by the District Sports Officer Shangla lacks clear details and omits several crucial points. Eleven events were listed for 2023-24, but there was no mention of the number of participating teams, emerging players, or the total expenditure on these events. The nature of these events was also questionable—an inter-departmental badminton tournament, four events named after the Deputy Commissioner, and three labeled as "Azadi Cup." Were these merely formalities, or did actual sports take place? The report remains silent on this. The total budget for 2023-24 was 7,887,757 rupees. Of this, 3,667,030 rupees were spent solely on employee...

  Once the jewel of Pakistan's national and international hockey scene, the Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Peshawar now stands as a grim testament to neglect and environmental decay. Situated within the Peshawar Sports Complex, a venue that once echoed with roaring crowds and celebrated sporting triumphs, the stadium is now overshadowed by a steadily growing mountain of garbage, much to the dismay of nearby residents and athletes. The stark reality hits you even before you enter the stadium grounds. A sprawling heap of discarded pamphlets, plastic bags, milk cartons, and other refuse has accumulated at its front, a festering eyesore that has worsened significantly in recent months, according to stadium staff. They report that trash is regularly dumped and sometimes even burned, casting a pall of toxic fumes and an unbearable stench over the area, all while seemingly ignored by authorities. "Oh, it's simply dreadful," lamented a lifelong hockey enthusiast and local re...

  On 13 January 2025, senior journalist and RTI activist Musarrat Ullah Jan submitted a detailed Right to Information (RTI) request to the Director General, Sports Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking transparency and accountability regarding the much-publicized “1000 Sports Projects.” Despite the provincial government's commitment to a Paperless Policy, the department has yet to provide a response. The request was submitted via email, as per policy, to both kikxnow@gmail.com and kikxnow@journalist.com, requesting a wide range of critical information. 🔍 Requested Information Included: 👨‍💼 Employee Breakdown: Total number of employees in the 1000 Sports Projects Number of officers Number of Class-IV staff 💰 Funds Released: Total funds released in fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25 💵 Salary Payments: Amount paid in salaries for both years ⛽ Fueling Expenses: Fuel budget allocated in 2023–24 and 2024–25   🚗 Project Vehicles: Location of the 10...

  Another RTI (Right to Information) request filed on March 19, 2025 , seeking transparency regarding sports-related funds and activities in District Khyber , remains unanswered despite the provincial Paperless Policy and legal obligation under the KP RTI Act. The request was addressed to both the District Sports Officer, Khyber , and the Directorate of Merged Areas Sports , demanding details for the fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25 regarding: Funds – Allocated, utilized, remaining amounts, and projects financed Tournaments – Complete list, number of players, payments made, and players' progress to provincial/national levels Office Expenditures – Rent, utilities, equipment purchases with prices Staff Details – Names, designations, date of appointments, and salaries Musarrat Ullah Jan requested this information be shared via email under the government's Paperless Policy. Despite clear guidelines, no response has been issued, raising f...

  A formal request under the Right to Information (RTI) Act submitted on March 20, 2025 , to the Directorate of Sports for Merged Districts (FATA) has gone unanswered, raising serious questions about transparency in public institutions. Senior journalist and sports reporter Musarrat Ullah Jan sought details of training camps, participating players, event expenditures, and distributed sports gear under the department's supervision. Despite the legal obligation to respond within the specified time, the Directorate has yet to reply. The RTI request asked for: Names of sports in which training camps were held District-wise distribution of camps and number of participants Full list of players and coaches Daily Allowance (DA) amounts and total funds allocated Details of five sports events and participants Record of shoes, kits, and socks provided to athletes with district-wise data Musarrat Ullah Jan expressed concern that such silence ...

    The District Sports Office Karak has responded to a Right to Information (RTI) request regarding its budget, player development, and event management — but the data raises more questions than it answers. According to the official reply, the office claimed to have produced 14 players across various sports in 2023–24, including cricket, football, futsal, volleyball, weightlifting, and karate. However, no names, levels of representation (district, provincial, or national), or supporting documents were provided. Most notably, the budget allocation for the financial year 2024–25 was not disclosed, yet the office claimed it had already utilized Rs. 5.57 million. This contradiction raises serious concerns about transparency and financial oversight. In terms of sports events, the office claimed to have organized 15 events in 2023–24, while 29 events are listed for 2024–25 — nearly double. Again, no event breakdowns, locations, participant lists, or visual evidence were pro...

  His true domain was the pitch. And pitch-making, as anyone in cricket knows, is an art form that blends science, instinct, and hours of manual labor. Tariq Lala mastered that art. With time, he became the soul of the Arbab Niaz Stadium, shaping pitches that hosted countless national and international matches. Players, curators, and fans often remember seeing him quietly tending the ground, rain or shine. His photographs with cricketers like Shahid Afridi and West Indian greats still circulate online — a testament to the many legends who played on the pitches he prepared. Even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recognized his talent, briefly engaging him for his expertise. Though he remained mostly with KP’s sports department, his skills were acknowledged on a national level. Tariq Lala was a simple, quiet man — always found working behind the scenes. Cricket was not just a job for him; it was his life. While others counted trophies and records, he counted perfect bounces, cra...

  A letter issued by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) dated 27th May 2024, marked as "MOST URGENT", has once again come under the spotlight in April 2025, raising eyebrows across the sports community and government departments. The letter, signed by Deputy Director General (Tech), Muhammad Shahid, was addressed to 21 top national institutions including PIA, WAPDA, HEC, Railways, FBR, Armed Forces, Civil Aviation, and major public banks. It directed these bodies to submit detailed information by 28th May 2024 on: Year-wise budget allocations for sports List of sports disciplines being revived by each department Number of sportspersons employed, along with their names and job status (contractual or permanent) The letter claimed these steps were in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for reviving sports in Pakistan and labeled the exercise as a critical move toward structural reform and promotion of sports. But Why Is This Letter Back in 2025? Nearly a year after ...

  Peshawar: Security agencies have swung into action over an attempt to acquire New Zealand visas through forged sponsorship letters and fake claims of being squash players. According to sources, suspicion is growing over the involvement of certain individuals within the Directorate of Sports, and officials are expected to begin questioning several people in the coming days. The investigation is reportedly expanding in scope. Sources reveal that security personnel have met with individuals directly or indirectly linked to the matter, particularly those associated with squash or the Directorate itself. It has been confirmed that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is likely to formally initiate an inquiry next week, which could include both government officials and private individuals in the investigation. The inquiry will not be limited to forged letters alone. Investigators will also examine whether the Directorate of Sports has any internal mechanisms to prevent such fraudulent ...

  MARDAN — The recent felling of trees at the Mardan Sports Complex, located in the second-largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has raised serious concerns regarding environmental laws, transparency, and the performance of government institutions. A request submitted under the Right to Information Act (KP RTI Act 2013) on January 8, 2025, has yet to receive a satisfactory response. The petitioner had  requested   comprehensive  information  about  the felling of trees,  environmental impact assessment (EIA), and the  legal approvals  required  for the project at Mardan Sports Complex.  The law   required  this information  to   be   provided within 15 days. But  the  information  received on February 17, 2025, is not only incomplete but also  does   not respond  to  several  important  aspects. The  reply  from the sports department  stated ...