The Sports Ministry: A White Elephant's Tale of Neglect and Paper Progress

 

Musarrat UllahJan – KikxNow , digital Creator

Another quarter dawns, but for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Ministry, it seems little has changed beyond the calendar. As the first quarter of 2025-26 (July-September) fades into memory and October ushers in a new fiscal cycle, a critical question hangs in the air: Was there genuine progress in the realm of sports, or merely an illusion of "activities" meticulously crafted on paper?

The time for introspection is long overdue for the Ministry of Sports and its affiliated departments. Four months have elapsed, yet the stark reality across most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reveals a grim picture: the engine of sports is either sputtering to a halt or being steered in an entirely wrong direction. How many Assistant District Sports Officers (ADSOs) are truly engaged in their duties? How many District Sports Officers (DSOs) are at their assigned posts, rather than "temporarily" occupying other positions where "opportunity" overshadows genuine responsibility?

These are not mere rhetorical questions; their honest answers would lay bare the true performance, or lack thereof, of the Sports Department. While reports boast of competitions, the sports fields themselves echo with silence. A simple decree from the Director General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could cut through the bureaucracy: a detailed report from every DSO, outlining the number of competitions held between July and September, events organized by their offices, funds utilized, and athlete participation.

Such an inquiry would undoubtedly disturb the slumber of many "paper sports officers." In numerous districts, "sports activities" are nothing more than a collection of photographs and banners. The modus operandi is depressingly familiar: attend a private or local tournament, capture a few images, and then declare on social media that the event was "organized with the cooperation of the District Sports Office." And just like that, another "performance report" is filed.

The provincial Sports Ministry must scrutinize the accounts of the past quarter. How many employees in thirty-five districts are drawing salaries? How many offices are genuinely functional? And how much public money was truly spent on sports during these four months? These are facts deliberately kept from the public eye. Similarly, the income and expenditure of sports complexes remain shrouded in secrecy. Transparency in these figures—detailing revenue generated by each complex and its subsequent allocation—would expose the uncomfortable truth of who is truly accountable.

Often, sports complexes consume vast sums on electricity bills and staff salaries, leaving meager resources for the actual promotion of sports. When the public witnesses billions in budgetary allocations, yet young people are denied access to fields and coaches, the question is not just valid, but urgent: Where are these funds truly disappearing? A candid assessment reveals the Sports Department to be nothing short of a white elephant—impressive in appearance, but a heavy burden in practice. New talent remains undiscovered, and a robust, permanent structure at the district level is conspicuously absent. The narrative of sports development thrives only in reports, never on the ground.

During the last quarter, how many districts truly provided facilities to athletes? How many coaches received training? How many young individuals were genuinely empowered to pursue sports? These questions, if posed in any official meeting, would likely result in many officials awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

 

The sports budget swells annually, and new projects appear on paper, yet the ground reality remains starkly different. Many district offices lack basic facilities and staff. DSOs are often stationed in distant districts, while Assistant Sports Officers are left as "temporary in-charge," merely shuffling files. The fields lie deserted, even as reports hum with supposed activity.

If the Ministry of Sports harbors any genuine intent for reform, two immediate actions are imperative:

Publicly release the quarterly performance reports of all DSOs.

Upload comprehensive records of all funds utilized and expenditures made for sports in each district onto the official website.

This level of transparency would not only bolster the department's credibility but also rebuild public trust. This is not mere criticism; it is a plea for tangible reform. Sports are the lifeblood of any healthy, disciplined, and progressive society. If we continue to treat our sports system with such negligence, our youth will inevitably drift towards the streets rather than the fields. It is a sobering thought that a ministry established solely for sports is slowly losing its very purpose. When performance is absent, accountability is elusive, and the use of funds is questionable, the fundamental query arises: Do we truly need such a white elephant?

Sports officials must grasp that social media posts alone do not foster sporting excellence. It is time for the Ministry of Sports to overhaul its structure, sideline inactive officials, empower those who are dedicated, and prioritize genuine sporting activities. Otherwise, the next quarter will bring the same disheartening news: "Alhamdulillah, a new quarter has begun"—and the fields will remain, regrettably, empty.

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