Provincial Sports Directorates and Associations in Crisis Due to Non-Payment of Funds

Provincial Sports Directorates and Associations in Crisis Due to Non-Payment of Funds

The provincial sports directorates and associated sports associations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) are facing a severe financial crisis due to the non-disbursement of funds by the provincial finance department for the past two

years. Grant, aid, endowment payments, sports promotion, and maintenance funds have all been withheld, leading to a halt in sports events and financial distress for associations.

The endowment department has issued a stern warning, threatening to take back the land leased to the sports directorate for 32 venues if the outstanding payments are not settled.

This crisis has eroded the trust between the associations and the directorate, resulting in decreased participation in sports events.

The upcoming Quaid-e-Azam Games and the National Games in 2025 are expected to be significantly impacted due to a shortage of athletes in various sports.

Despite repeated requests for funds to the finance department in 2023, the sports directorate has received no response. As a result, associations have hinted at potential protests to demand their rightful funds.

The directorate has been relying on income from various complexes and sports endowment funds to sustain its operations, but these resources are proving insufficient.

The financial crisis has crippled the sports infrastructure in KPK, hindering the development and promotion of sports in the province. Urgent action is needed from the authorities to address this pressing issue and ensure the well-being of the sports sector.