LANDI KOTAL: The weeklong private schools sports gala kicked off at the sports ground near Hamza Baba Mausoleum here on Monday.

Senator Taj Mohammad and All Private Schools Association president Iqbal Afridi inaugurated the gala at a colourful ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of participating schools players, students and local sports enthusiasts.

The organisers said that about 1,500 players of at least 42 private schools would compete in various games including football, volleyball, cricket and athletics in the weeklong gala.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Taj Mohammad said that young tribal players had huge talent and selection of two young cricketers Usman Shinwari and Shaheen Shah Afridi of Landi Kotal to the national cricket team was a testimony to the potential of the local players.

He said that lack of playgrounds and facilities was a hindrance in the path of improved performance by local players. He regretted that the under-construction sports complex could not be completed during the last four years owing to negligence of sports directorate and paucity of funds.

PROTEST: Scores of students of BS Computer Science of third semester in Government Degree College Landi Kotal have accused the college management of withholding their first semester results without any valid reason.

Speaking to local journalists at press club here on Monday, they said that the principal of the college was applying delaying tactics in issuing detailed marks certificate (DMC) to them despite their repeated requests since they had completed their first semester and were promoted to third semester.

They threatened to launch protest and block the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway if their demand for issuing of DMC was not fulfilled.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2019