MANSEHRA: The participants of a workshop on sports development on Tuesday pointed out that most schools in Mansehra had no playgrounds and other related facilities, as a result students were deprived of healthy and extra-curricular activities.

They said that corruption and nepotism in departments handling sporting affairs had marred growth of sports in Pakistan.

A non-government organisation, Right to Play (RTP), organised the event for local journalists to apprise them of its efforts to develop sports in the district.

Abdul Jalil Khan, the NGO’s programme manager, said that RTP started a psycho-social support programme in the district for the children traumatised by the devastating earthquake of 2005, providing them games and sports facilities at schools and community levels.

Jalil Khan said that his organisation had been working in 90 schools where children were provided with sports kits and other facilities and tournaments of different games were organised. “Education without sports can’t create a health society,” he maintained.

Asima Qamar, the NGO’s communication officer, said peace could be promoted through games as a healthy mind always thought positively. She said grounds of over 50 schools across the district were widened to give the students a sporting environment.

Local journalist, Mian Mohammad Hussain, called for formulating a fresh sports policy and provision of proper facilities to regain the lost glory in different games.

Another journalist, Mohammad Rafique Thakra, asked the government to construct playgrounds at village level to keep youth away from indulging in negative activities.

Nisar Khan Swati said the government should promote sports from the grassroots level.

Masood Shoque said owing to non-availability of data and research in sports at district level, such activities were not highlighted in media.

Ali Khiam, another journalist, said the government should declare sports mandatory for schoolchildren.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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