KHYBER: MPA Shafeeq Sher Afridi said on Saturday that the provincial government had approved the needed funds for construction of sports complex in Landi Kotal and work would be started soon after acquisition of land.

He was speaking at ‘Meet the Press’ programme of Landi Kotal Press Club. He was accompaniedby Khyber district sports manager Raheed Gul and Khyber Sports Club chairman Mirajuddin.

Shafeeq Sher said he had succeeded in getting approval of Rs98 million fund from the provincial government for construction of the sports facility, for which 65 kanals of land was required.

He said the directorate of sports had also selected a site for construction of the sports complex while the owners too had expressed their willingness to sell the land.

“However, the proposed site is still on lease with the security forces, who had used it as a firing range in distant past, but now it is lying unutilised,” he said.

The MPA added that he along with the directorate of sports and Khyber district administration were in regular contact with the relevant officials for ending the lease of the said site to pave the way for construction of sports complex in Landi Kotal.

Raheed Gul said that though the prime minister had announced construction of sports facilities in every merged district, Landi Kotal sports complex could not be built so far.

Mr Mirajuddin said local players and sports organisations had long been demanding construction of a well-equipped sports complex.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2021