Peshawar, The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is setting a new course for sports development in the province, unveiling a policy designed to nurture talented athletes through scholarships and enhanced facilities. The announcement was made by Syed Fakhar Jahan, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, during discussions with representatives from the Peshawar Zalmi Group.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the new sports policy will offer scholarships to 15 promising athletes, alongside various other supports tailored to their sporting needs. Jahan noted that the current administration has already begun to see financial benefits from improved management of sports facilities, citing a revenue generation of one million rupees from the Hayatabad Sports Complex in just one month. This income is earmarked for the welfare of sports players.
During a meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar, which included the Head of Marketing for Peshawar Zalmi, Ahad Khan, and Director General of Sports, Abdul Nasir, the group discussed further collaboration with the provincial government to promote sports. Initiatives include building 100 cricket pitches and establishing cricket academies across the province, with the ultimate aim of hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) locally.
Jahan emphasized that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote a positive image of the province through sports, conveying messages of peace and societal harmony. The advisor expressed a commitment to accelerate the completion of the Arbab Niaz Stadium to facilitate these plans, including the potential annual hosting of the Super League.
The collaboration with Peshawar Zalmi is expected to significantly boost the development of cricket and other sports, aligning with the government’s goal to attract international cricket events to the region and enhance the local sports infrastructure.