KikxNow , Digital Creator

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator In the merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the official sports system exists largely on paper, and only for men. Thousands of male athletes are registered across Bajaur, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan. Women? Zero. Not a single female athlete appears in official records for 2020–21 and 2021–22. The data is stark: Bajaur has 204 clubs with 3,708 men, Khyber 346 clubs with 4,506 men, Mohmand 260 clubs with 3,016 men, Kurram 314 clubs with 3,706 men, Orakzai 172 clubs with 2,204 men, North Waziristan 264 clubs with 3,504 men, and South Waziristan 270 clubs with 3,464 men. Meanwhile, women are completely absent—erased from the system. This is not an oversight. It is a structural exclusion. Official documents exist to project the appearance of development, but they conceal the reality: there are no programs, no training, no clubs, and no pathways for female athletes. Women are red...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Hassan Khel Sports Complex, located in the Hassan Khel sub-division of Peshawar, has been a stark example of government inaction and systemic negligence. Although the complex was constructed in 2018, seven years later it remains largely non-functional. The building exists, but essential sports infrastructure—including playable grounds, equipment, and administrative support—has yet to be provided. Despite repeated official promises, the complex has not been equipped or managed to serve the needs of local youth. The responsibility of maintaining the facility has effectively fallen on the athletes themselves. Using personal resources and small donations, local youth have attempted to keep the complex partially usable, performing cleaning, minor repairs, and organizing makeshift sports activities. This is work that should have been carried out by the relevant government departments. Local athletes and residents emphasize that if th...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Mardan: Serious questions have been raised over mismanagement in the Pirano Park gymnasium, where gymnastics equipment worth millions of rupees has gone missing, forcing young athletes to continue training without basic facilities. According to sources, the gymnasium at Pirano Park was inaugurated in 2018 by PTI leader and then provincial minister Atif Khan. At the time of its inauguration, the facility was equipped with modern gymnastics apparatus. However, the equipment later disappeared completely and has not been recovered to date. No formal inquiry or public explanation has so far been made regarding the missing assets. Currently, around 20 children from Mardan city are receiving gymnastics training at the same gymnasium. Despite their dedication, they are practicing on a hard floor without mats, apparatus, or safety equipment, significantly increasing the risk of injury and affecting their overall performance. The young...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Peshawar: Contrary to the assurances and concerns raised during the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first online open court, the Merged Districts Sports Directorate has quietly taken internal administrative decisions that neither address the core complaint nor reflect the spirit of transparency promised in the forum. During the open court, a hockey player complained that despite having quality sports facilities in Bajaur, no hockey coach had been posted there. Following this public complaint, expectations were high that the issue would be resolved promptly. However, the ground reality tells a different story. Seven sanctioned junior coach posts in Bajaur remain vacant, and no fresh appointment has been made. According to sources, instead of directly appointing a coach, the Sports Directorate opted for an administrative workaround, attempting to “hit two targets with one arrow.” A staff member originally appointed as a co...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Swat — The badminton machines provided at the DSO Swat Sports Complex have reportedly remained unused for five years, with no information given on maintenance or training conducted using them. Under a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on June 30, 2025, details were sought regarding how many players trained on these machines between 2020 and 2025, their names and positions, the current condition of the machines, and what maintenance measures had been undertaken. However, the response received on January 13, 2026, contained only empty cabinet photos, with no written explanation or details. The images suggest that the machines have never been used, yet no reason was provided for this neglect. Experts say that such expensive equipment lying unused for years without proper maintenance is a clear sign of administrative failure. The response, or lack thereof, from DSO Swat raises serious questions about transparency and...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Following the first online public hearing conducted by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Merged Districts Sports Directorate has carried out internal administrative transfers that have raised concerns about transparency and decision-making. During the hearing, a hockey player complained that despite high-quality facilities in Bajaur, no hockey coach had been assigned there. However, seven vacant junior coach positions in Bajaur remained unfilled. According to sources, the Sports Directorate decided on a dual-purpose administrative move. An official previously serving as a coach was promoted to Grade 16 and transferred to the Khyber district, where he will enjoy the benefits of a Budget and Accounts Officer, while also being assigned coaching duties. The decision appears to be influenced by pressure to place a specific coach in an administrative position, targeting the newly appointed director of the Merged Distric...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Following a complaint by an investigative journalist from Peshawar, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has initiated an official inquiry into 12 bicycles provided to the Merged Districts Sports Directorate. The total value of these bicycles is estimated at PKR 3.6 million. The investigation began after conflicting information emerged in responses to Right to Information (RTI) requests. In one response, the Sports Directorate admitted that the bicycles were with a coach, while in another, it denied any knowledge or responsibility for the bicycles. Prompted by this contradiction, the journalist requested UNDP to conduct a thorough investigation. Subsequently, UNDP has contacted the Sports Directorate and requested a detailed report regarding the status and whereabouts of the bicycles. These bicycles were initially provided by UNDP to promote cycling in the former FATA region and were reportedly used in competitions...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator Information shared by employees of the Kohat Sports Complex and local sources presents a troubling picture of an institution where, despite the presence of a formal administrative structure, transparency, record-keeping, and accountability appear to be seriously compromised. According to sources, several administrative matters at the complex have been handled in a manner inconsistent with established rules and procedures. Alleged financial dealings without proper documentation remain a persistent concern. In this context, it is particularly notable that the name of a lower-ranking employee posted at the complex has already surfaced in an ongoing inquiry. Employees claim that in recent days they have been made to feel that providing evidence related to these matters could result in negative consequences. While these claims have not been officially verified, the very existence of such perceptions raises serious questions about th...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator An official communication issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Department has revealed that a letter related to Rs 40.62 million for land acquisition in Shangla was fake and was never issued by the department. According to the Finance Department’s letter dated January 30, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Commissioner Shangla, a document came to the department’s notice claiming approval or a refund voucher for the acquisition of land for a Tehsil Playground in the Lilownai area of Alpuri. After reviewing departmental records, it was confirmed that the letter was neither signed nor issued by the Finance Department. The document further points out that an unknown source attempted to influence the office of the Deputy Commissioner Shangla through this forged letter. The Finance Department has clearly instructed that no action should be taken in this matter. As per the official record, the case involved a substantial amount of pu...

    Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator The Pakistan Cricket Board’s recent letter warning against participation in “unapproved” private cricket leagues raises a fundamental question: is the PCB protecting cricket, or restricting it? On 13 January 2026, the PCB formally instructed Regional and District Cricket Associations to ensure that registered players, clubs, and officials do not take part in any private leagues, tournaments, or matches that have not been sanctioned by the board. Violations, the letter warns, will invite disciplinary action under PCB regulations. At face value, the directive appears administrative. In reality, it exposes a deeper and long-standing problem in Pakistan’s cricket structure: control has replaced development.   Before banning others from organizing competitions, the PCB must answer a simple question. What volume and quality of competitive cricket does it itself provide? At grassroots and age-group levels, the cale...