Dreams and Doubts: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Sports Budget in the Spotlight

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Musarrat Ullah Jan - KikxNow

Peshawar: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has allocated a sizeable PKR 11.6 billion on youth and sports affairs in its Annual Development Program (ADP) for the 2025–26 fiscal year. But red flags are being raised by experts as to whether this budget is sufficient enough to develop sports and engage in youth activities in a province where millions of youths live and sports infrastructure mostly remains in shambles.

Concern is especially on the cards as the same figure was indicated for the youth and sport department for the fiscal year 2024–25. However, at that time, only PKR 411 million went towards actual development activities, while most of the money was spent on wages, events, and administrative purposes. Experts argue that announcements are not enough; it's the real implementation that actually brings any change.

In accordance with the ADP 2025–26, the provincial development budget is PKR 547 billion, out of which a mere 2% has been allocated to the youth and sports sector. In contrast, the construction of roads has been allotted PKR 53.6 billion, and education has been allotted more than PKR 13 billion.

Some of the prominent schemes in the budget include a huge PKR 1.5 billion for the Ehsaas Nojawan Program, which is to empower the youth and encourage self-reliance. Another PKR 800 million has been allocated towards province-wide sporting activities and the development of talented sportspersons. Additionally, PKR 316.8 million will be utilized to construct futsal fields, and PKR 11 million for the renovation and enhancement of already existing sports infrastructure. A special Youth Development Package has been reserved PKR 315 million.

Upcoming projects include the construction of a new, international-standard multi-purpose indoor gymnasium in Buner district, with state-of-the-art sports and fitness facilities for local young people. There is also a proposal for the construction of indoor sports facilities for women in every divisional headquarters throughout the province.

This budget, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, is a manifestation of the provincial government's declared focus on youth and sports development. The department concerned, headed by Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Syed Fakhar Jehan, has made various new initiatives in view of integrating the younger generation into constructive activities.

Though the plans are lofty, people and organizations involved in sports have called for the government to go beyond budgetary announcements. They are demanding tangible steps at the district level, highlighting the importance of good sports grounds, coaching centers, training schemes, and structured sports competitions. Their message is simple: unless facilities are made available at the grassroots, big budgetary allocations will never make any concrete difference. The real proof of this budget shall be in its implementation, and if it is possible for it to convert numbers into concrete opportunities for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's budding athletes and dynamic youth.

#KPKBudget #KPKSPorts #YouthDevelopment #EhsaasNojawan #FutsalKP #SportsInfrastructure #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #PakistanSports #ADP2025 #AliAminGandapur #FakharJehan #SportsForYouth

 

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