Efforts to Promote Chess in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Face Obstacles?

Efforts to Promote Chess in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Face Obstacles;

Attempts to Form Parallel Associations Uncovered

PESHAWAR: President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chess Association(KPCA), Omar Khan, has highlighted key initiatives being undertaken to promote and develop chess across the province.

However, he expressed concerns about certain elements attempting to create controversy within the sports system. These individuals are reportedly working to establish a parallel sports association, which is hindering the progress of chess in the region.

Speaking to the media, Omar Khan stated that grassroots-level chess competitions are being organized throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with both male and female players participating enthusiastically. He emphasized that these efforts are being made entirely on a self-help basis,

without any financial support from the provincial sports department. Despite this, the association has successfully hosted national-level chess tournaments in the province.

Omar Khan, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP), noted that players from various districts, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, DI Khan, Mardan, and Kohat, have actively participated in these events, alongside competitors from across the country.

Expressing his concern, he revealed that certain individuals are trying to damage the progress of chess in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their own personal gains.

He called on the Director General of the Provincial Sports Department and other authorities to keep a close watch on these conspirators to ensure that efforts to promote chess in the province remain undisturbed.