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Mazullah Khan Cricket Academy Officially Opened, Attracts Aspiring Players

    Peshawar, May 16, 2023 - The highly anticipated Mazullah Khan Cricket Academy, managed by the Provincial Sports Directorate, was officially inaugurated yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the development of cricket in the region. Despite ongoing exams, the academy has already welcomed over three hundred players, a number expected to rise significantly once summer vacation commences. The enthusiasm for cricket and the desire to train at the prestigious academy and utilize the excellent facilities, including the Adil Khan swimming pool, has contributed to its success.   The Mazullah Khan Cricket Academy's positive reception and its ability to generate substantial revenue have facilitated the completion of several projects undertaken by the Sports Directorate.   The academy's official launch has sparked a renewed sense of optimism among cricket enthusiasts in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as it aims to produce talented cricketers who can represent the reg

Footballers at Peshawar Sports Complex Endure Mental Stress as Lack of Ground Impacts Training

    Peshawar, May 16, 2023 - Approximately 150 football learners training at the Peshawar Sports Complex are facing significant mental stress due to the unavailability of a dedicated football ground. The absence of proper infrastructure has adversely affected the training regimen and performance of around 150 football players, including those in the under-13 category.   In their quest for practice opportunities, some players have resorted to utilizing alternative venues such as the Hayatabad Sports Complex and Shah Tahmas Football Stadium. However, the influx of individuals at these locations has limited their ability to train effectively, hindering their progress. Moreover, the absence of tournaments, like the ones organized in Ramadan Mubarak last year, has left the players frustrated and disheartened.   Despite assurances, the contractor responsible for filling the football ground has failed to complete the task, leaving the footballers anxious about their future performan

Employees on Daily Wages Comply, Permanent Employees Defy Saturday and Sunday Duty Directive at Peshawar Sports Complex

  Peshawar, Pakistan - In an unexpected turn of events, only the employees hired on a daily wage basis adhered to the instructions given by the administrator of Peshawar Sports Complex, while the permanent employees chose to disregard them. The directive, issued by Administrator and Chief Coach Jafar Shah, required class four employees to report for duty at Peshawar Sports Complex on both Saturday and Sunday. However, the majority of permanent employees showed reluctance to fulfill their duties.   The order was given due to the participation of players in the National Games, resulting in increased footfall at the sports complex. To ensure smooth operations, Shah emphasized the presence of all class four employees during the weekend. Surprisingly, the verbal directive was mostly followed by the daily wage employees, who diligently reported for duty at the sports directorate on both Saturday and Sunday.   On the contrary, the permanent and specialized employees chose to defy the directiv

Players Demand Future Robotic Table Tennis Machines to be Utilized on the Field for Enhanced Training

  Peshawar, Pakistan - Table tennis enthusiasts who visit for training have urged the Director General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to utilize the robotic table tennis machines owned by the Provincial Sports Directorate for player development. The players argue that keeping these advanced machines confined to the storeroom serves no purpose and limits their training potential.   Expressing their excitement over the recent recovery of the disappeared machines from the arena hall before Ramadan, the players believe that bringing the robotic table tennis machines to the forefront would greatly benefit their practice sessions. The use of these machines not only allows players to engage in more extensive training but also exposes them to a competitive environment.   The players who have come to learn table tennis emphasize the importance of utilizing the robotic machines, as they offer unique advantages. Playing with these machines, which can launch up to five hundred balls, helps improve p

Robotic Table Tennis Machines Worth Millions Found in Peshawar Sports Complex Storage Room

  Peshawar, Pakistan - After weeks of mystery surrounding their disappearance, the missing robotic table tennis machines from Peshawar Sports Complex have been discovered. The administrator of the complex, Jafar Shah, confirmed that both machines, valued at approximately two million rupees, were located in the facility's storage room.   In a phone conversation yesterday, Shah revealed that one of the table tennis robot machines is worth around one million rupees. The machines were originally under the custody of the provincial sports directorate and were used by table tennis players in the arena hall, where they remained in excellent condition.   However, prior to the start of Ramadan, the administration closed the room in the table tennis hall, citing concerns about boys and girls sitting together. It was during this period that the machines mysteriously vanished, leaving the administrators and table tennis coaches baffled as to their whereabouts.   Shah personally retrieved both

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Players Arrive in Quetta Without Promised Shoes and Socks for National Games

  Peshawar, Pakistan - A significant number of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa teams participating in the National Games in Quetta have yet to receive the shoes and socks promised by the Sports Directorate. Despite assurances that footwear would be provided to players during the journey, the delivery status remains uncertain.   The Sports Directorate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had initially assured teams departing in the first phase that shoes and socks would be distributed to players on the second day of travel. They explained that due to road closures, the items could not reach the players, and a high-quality order was placed from Lahore, which arrived in Quetta two days later. The plan was to distribute these shoes and socks to the players representing Pakhtunkhwa upon their arrival in Quetta.   However, several teams from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have now reached Quetta without receiving the promised footwear. As a result, a significant number of players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are participating in the Na

Valuable Sofas at Risk of Water Damage in Adil Khan Swimming Pool, Peshawar

  Peshawar, Pakistan - Concerns have arisen regarding the presence of expensive sofas belonging to the sports directorate at the Adil Khan swimming pool in Peshawar. Not only are athletes facing inconvenience, but these sofas, procured with significant public funds, are now in danger of being damaged by water. The sofas have been stored near the pool's lockers for the past three months, covered with plastic sheets. However, with the reopening of the Adil Khan swimming pool, the sofas are no longer accessible.   Currently, only swimmers preparing for the National Games have access to the facility. However, due to the scorching heat, an increasing number of people from the general public have started visiting the pool, leading to overcrowding and raising concerns about potential damage to the sofas. The combination of increased foot traffic and the risk of water exposure is a cause for worry.   Efforts should be made to protect and preserve these expensive sofas, which have been purc

PHF Official Denounces Nasir Ali's Allegations as Self-serving and Untimely

  Peshawar - In response to Nasir Ali's recent allegations against the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Syed Zahir Shah, the Associate Secretary of the federation, expressed deep regret and labeled the statement as regrettable and self-serving. Shah highlighted that after a span of 41 years, Nasir Ali has chosen to make these claims for his own interests, coinciding with a challenging period for the PHF.   Shah went on to assert that Nasir Ali's credibility is questionable, particularly considering his involvement in the election held in bus stop, Islamabad, where he allegedly conducted the election with fake teams, removing the legitimate ones in an underhanded manner. Shah pointed out that this case is currently under investigation, advising Nasir Ali to address any concerns he may have with the Prime Minister instead of defaming renowned hockey legends such as Akhtar Rasool, Shahnaz Sheikh, and Islahuddin Siddiqui.   Refuting the allegations made by Nasir Ali against the co

Dear Mr. Khalid Mahmood, Director General Sports,

      I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to discuss some important matters regarding the cricket academy under your leadership as the Director General of Sports. As a senior cricketer, I believe it is crucial to address these concerns in order to improve the academy and ensure fair treatment for all players.   Firstly, I would like to bring to your attention the issues with the installation of the specially imported "chaman" grass at the cricket academy. Despite the presence of experts, the grass has failed to grow in certain areas due to unsuitable soil conditions. I suggest using appropriate mud and special soil during the installation process to rectify this issue. Additionally, it is important to ensure timely payment of salaries to the daily wage employees of the Provincial Sports Directorate.   Recently, the cricket academy coaches on daily wages were prohibited from seeking other employment opportunities, which has put them in a diffi

Senior journalist files legal notice against Peshawar DSO for defamation and false police report

    Peshawar-based journalist, Musratullah Jan, had previously reported incidents of electricity theft at the District Sports Office in Peshawar. He had also sought information regarding a sports tournament through a Right to Information request, but instead of providing a response, the DSO Peshawar chose to file a police report against the journalist.   The District Sports Officer of Peshawar went further and falsely accused journalist Musratullah Jan of harassment, prompting the journalist to file a complaint against the DSO under section 182 of the Pakistan Penal Code at the respective police station. In his complaint, Musratullah Jan clarified his position, stating that he has been associated with the field of journalism for twenty-seven years and is the province's sole and first SAARC scholar. It was evident that the DSO was attempting to tarnish his reputation.   Consequently, Musratullah Jan sought legal recourse by sending a defamation legal notice through Senior