A Hockey Player from Bajaur, a Chief Minister’s Assurance, and the Ground Reality of Sports in Former FATA

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow ,Digital Creator

When a young hockey player from Bajaur picks up the phone to speak directly to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it may sound like a small personal victory. In reality, it reflects something much larger. Mehran’s contact with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over issues related to hockey facilities and FATA Games highlights both the promise and the persistent failures of sports governance in the former tribal districts. It is a moment that carries hope, but also demands accountability.

Mehran’s concerns were simple, factual, and hard to dismiss. The condition of the hockey ground in Bajaur is poor. The artificial turf receives water for barely thirty minutes a day. There is no permanent ground man. Maintenance is irregular, and basic facilities that should be taken for granted are missing. These are not luxury demands. They are minimum requirements for any athlete who is expected to train, compete, and improve.

The Chief Minister’s assurance of full cooperation is, without question, a positive signal. It suggests that voices from peripheral regions are being heard at the highest level. For young athletes in Bajaur and other merged districts, this acknowledgment matters. For years, they have felt invisible in policy discussions dominated by major cities. A direct response from the provincial leadership breaks that pattern, at least symbolically.

However, symbols alone do not build players, teams, or sporting culture. The experience of sports in former FATA teaches us to be cautiously optimistic. Promises have been made before. Inaugurations have taken place. Statements have been issued. Yet, once the cameras leave, grounds return to neglect, and athletes return to training under difficult conditions. The gap between commitment and execution remains the central problem.

Mehran’s case is important because it brings that gap into focus. He did not speak in slogans or emotional language. He pointed out specific, measurable issues. Water supply. Ground maintenance. Human resources. These are administrative matters, not political controversies. If such basic problems cannot be resolved, it raises serious questions about how sports development funds are planned, released, and monitored in the merged districts.

The discussion around FATA Games fits into the same pattern. In theory, the FATA Games were designed to mainstream talent from tribal areas, provide exposure, and create pathways to provincial and national levels. In practice, the impact has often been limited. Selection processes have lacked transparency. Facilities during the games have been inconsistent. Most importantly, once the event ends, players are usually left without follow-up support, coaching, or opportunities.

This is where the Chief Minister’s assurance must be tested. If FATA Games are to be more than ceremonial events, they need to be part of a broader, long-term sports policy. That policy should include talent identification, regular competitions, coaching programs, and infrastructure development at the district level. Without this structure, even the most enthusiastic events fail to produce sustainable results.