Swabi Hockey Turf: A Costly Project Now Exposed for Serious Technical Failures

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan – KikxNow , Digital Creator

Around eleven months ago, the hockey turf at Bamkhel in Swabi was installed with significant public funding. The project was promoted as a major achievement of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, presented as a symbol of progress in sports infrastructure. Today, the same turf stands as evidence of poor execution, weak monitoring and lack of accountability.

Large sections of the turf have lifted due to a compromised base. Visible wrinkles across the field have made it unsafe for athletes. The surface, which should have supported professional hockey activity, is now a hazard even for basic training.

When the issue was identified, photographic evidence was immediately shared with the Directorate of Sports, including senior officials. Despite being informed, the Directorate has remained silent. The absence of an immediate response raises questions about the seriousness with which the department treats technical failures on a multi-million-rupee project.

The situation is even more troubling because the Directorate has an Engineering Wing responsible for quality control. Their presence did not prevent the installation of an inferior base, nor did they question the quality of the turf. It is unclear how the Engineering Wing approved the project in its current condition.

Further evidence, sent by individuals familiar with the installation phase, shows that the turf arrived in a damaged condition. Images indicate sections of the turf were already torn or cut before installation. Despite this, neither the District Sports Office (DSO) nor the district administration raised any objections. The contractor delivered substandard material, yet the responsible officials accepted it without inspection.

This raises serious concerns about the role of the DSO. The question now is: who will take action against the officials who supervised and approved this installation? In many such cases, the common departmental response is that the relevant officer has been transferred, as if a transfer absolves responsibility. This culture shields officials from accountability and undermines public trust.

The Deputy Commissioner of Swabi has taken notice and demanded a detailed report, which is a positive step. However, administrative notices alone cannot resolve structural issues in project oversight. There must be a transparent investigation identifying who approved the damaged turf, who ignored the inspection process and who authorized payments despite clear defects.

To ensure transparency, a formal request under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has already been filed. The response from the Sports Directorate will reveal whether the department intends to address the issue or attempt to deflect responsibility. Historically, the Directorate has shown resistance to scrutiny, preferring praise and avoiding any form of questioning.

This case is not just about one turf. It reflects a systemic pattern: projects inaugurated with public money but executed without professional standards. The result is the same each time—substandard facilities, wasted funds and no accountability.

The failure in Swabi should serve as a warning. Without strict oversight, clear responsibility and consequences for negligence, similar projects across the province will continue to suffer the same fate. Public funds deserve transparency, and athletes deserve safe, high-quality facilities. Anything less is unacceptable.

 

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