KikxNow , Digital Creator

  Peshawar – The Sports Directorate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is once again under fire for its lack of transparency, as critical information related to Under-23 Inter-Regional Games remains undisclosed—eight months after an official request was submitted. The application, numbered 1539, was filed on August 20, 2024, and later submitted to the RTI Commission under Request No. 11718. Despite the passage of considerable time, the Directorate has yet to provide any official response. Key Questions Raised in the RTI Application: What was the total budget released for the Under-23 Inter-Regional Games? How many athletes participated? What sports disciplines were included in the event? How many male athletes took part, and what were the details of the daily allowances paid to them? Which women's sports were held, how many female athletes participated, and what were the daily allowances provided to them? What were the accommodation arrangements (hotels), and how much was spent ...

  Despite grand claims about the promotion of sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ground reality tells a very different story. Funds are allocated for the training, development, and participation of female athletes. Policy documents are filled with promising language about "gender equality." Yet, shockingly, most districts have no official data on female athletes whatsoever. Sources reveal that not only at the provincial level but also in the newly merged districts (formerly FATA), there is no reliable record of how many women are participating in sports, which disciplines they play, or even if they exist in the system. In such a scenario, the so-called inclusion of women in sports policies appears to be nothing more than a bureaucratic formality. What’s even more disturbing is the common practice in several districts where one female athlete is listed as a participant in multiple sports, simply to show that events were held. Insiders claim this is done primarily to justify...

    In a shocking revelation, an officer from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate has been accused of turning a state-of-the-art AstroTurf facility into an informal tea spot, a move that has raised questions about priorities and accountability within the department. The AstroTurf, designed for serious sports use, has been allegedly repurposed by the officer and employees for non-professional activities, including frequent tea breaks with colleagues and visitors. The facility, which was meant to serve the district's athletes and sports programs, is now reportedly being misused as a socializing spot, with people frequently gathering to drink tea and hold informal conversations instead of using the field for its intended purpose. This comes amid growing concerns about the management and misuse of resources within the Sports Directorate. According to insiders, the AstroTurf's misuse reflects broader issues in the organization, where resources are often misallocated, an...

    Landi Kotal – A serious dispute has emerged regarding the ground of the Mala Gori Sports Complex. Built in a tribal area, the land for this complex was acquired from locals, and millions of rupees were spent on its construction. However, objections are now being raised by the local population. According to sources, at the time the land was acquired, the relevant authorities failed to meet basic legal and procedural requirements. There were already existing legal and local issues tied to the land, but these were overlooked. Now, despite the completion of the complex, these unresolved issues have resurfaced with intensity, and the locals have turned against the project. As a result, the Khyber district administration has launched an inquiry, while the Planning and Development Department has also initiated a separate investigation. Key questions remain unanswered: Who approved the land acquisition? Who was responsible for securing the land? Were all legal requirements...

  Peshawar – Independent journalist Musarrat Ullah Jan has filed an official complaint with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Commission after the Directorate General of Sports failed to respond to an RTI request submitted on March 13, 2025. Under the KP RTI Act 2013, public offices are legally bound to provide requested information within 10 working days. However, no response has been received from the Sports Directorate even after the deadline passed. Musarrat Ullah Jan, who runs the digital investigative platform Kikxnow, sought official documentation and data regarding administrative decisions around vehicle, fuel, and fleet card management. The request specifically focused on Office Order No. DG/Sports/Admin/2023-24/1328-31, which delegated fleet responsibilities to the Director Development in November 2023. Speaking on the issue, Jan emphasized the need for transparency: “Public institutions are funded by taxpayers and must be held accountable. Avoiding tran...

    The wooden floor of the old badminton hall in Mardan city has been damaged in several places, creating difficulties for badminton players training there. Shahryar Khan, the President of the Mardan Badminton Association, expressed his concerns about the deteriorating situation in a video message. He stated that the challenges faced by players at the badminton hall are increasing, and he complained that no concrete steps are being taken to promote the sport in the region. He emphasized, "For God's sake, please pay attention to this issue and help the sport develop properly."   According to Shahryar Khan, several government resources have been utilized in attempts to improve the Waseem Zeb Badminton Hall. However, he refrains from discussing the reasons behind the current state of the hall or the amount of money spent. He highlighted that players cannot even afford badminton equipment, and they have exhausted their efforts trying to improve the situation on their o...

  Peshawar: The Directorate General Culture & Tourism Authority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing further scrutiny for allegedly ignoring a citizen's Right to Information (RTI) requests. A complaint has been filed with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission, highlighting the authority's failure to respond to applications submitted nearly three months ago. The applicant, addressing the Chief Information Commissioner, stated that two RTI applications were submitted on January 11, 2025, to the Director General Culture & Tourism Authority , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These applications sought information on several key areas within the department, including details about additional charges held by officials, their official grades and positions, procurement and event management procedures, and information regarding official vehicles and their usage. According to the complainant, despite the significant lapse in time, no response has been received from the Directorate Gene...

  Peshawar:  The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture & Tourism Authority (KPCTA) has drawn criticism for its silence on a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by a local citizen. The application sought crucial documents, including the academic qualifications and verification details of its employees, copies of the Board of Directors' (BOD) regulations, and internal audit reports. The RTI application was submitted on April 7th, 2025. However, despite the legally mandated timeframe for response, the KPCTA has reportedly failed to provide any information. This silence has prompted the applicant to escalate the matter by filing a formal complaint with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Commission. Sources reveal that prior to this RTI request, an official within the KPCTA had allegedly called for all pending RTI applications, including those that have remained unanswered for the past two years. Disappointingly, the current application, along with the backlog, has also ...

  Have you ever wondered if the funds allocated for sports in our country are genuinely being used for the development of sports or if they are just being shown on paper? The 2024-25 report released by the District Sports Office of Upper Chitral raises several questions that need serious attention. According to the report, Zani Pass Festival, an exciting event, allegedly cost 300,000 rupees, which included activities like a marathon race, tug of war, local sports, and ice hockey. But the question arises: was this large sum justified for just a few events? Moreover, are there any pictures, videos, or reports we can see to verify this expense? Another curious situation is with the Shandur Ice Hockey event, where only 30,000 rupees were spent. Despite the event being of greater importance compared to other major events, why was such a small budget allocated for it? Similarly, despite expectations of millions being spent on the Paragliding Competition, only 100,000 rupees were spen...

  In Pakistan, the sports industry has for long been plagued by mismanagement, political intervention, and institutional apathy. Just when sportsmen, coaches, and sports federations begin to believe in a big event to revive the spirit of competition and excellence, a hasty decision dashes their hopes. The recent example is the sudden postponement of the National Games 2025—a decision that has left sportsmen, organizers, and supporters aghast. The National Games are the largest multi-sport event in the nation, and for most athletes, it is a career-defining experience. But this year, the games were delayed without any advance notice, official explanation, or new timeline. Teams had been finalized, training camps were in progress, and the host province had begun logistical preparations. The news was a shock—with no one held accountable. The Ministry of Sports, Pakistan Olympic Association, and the host province all appear to be passing the buck. Nobody is taking responsibility for...