CHARSADDA: Male and female players staged a protest outside the Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex here the other day, accusing the district sports officer (DSO) of irregularities in the utilisation of sports funds.

The protesters demanded immediate transfer of the DSO and a transparent inquiry into the management of sports facilities and finances.

They alleged that nationally recognised women volleyball players were being denied access to training facilities and the sports complex ground, adversely affecting their preparation and performance.

According to the protesters, players frequently arrived for practice sessions only to be stopped at the entrance. They also complained about the unavailability of volleyball nets and other essential equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, Pir Syed Hameed Shah Bacha, Saleem Khan, Azam Jan Bacha and other speakers said the sports complex, constructed at a cost of billions of rupees, had become largely dysfunctional under the current administration. They claimed that sporting activities had been significantly reduced and that administrative irregularities were undermining the purpose of the facility.

The speakers maintained that athletes were being deprived of basic amenities, while most sports activities, except for those related to the swimming pool, had either been suspended or rendered non-operational. They also called for an independent audit of funds generated through the swimming pool.

Coaches and players further alleged that women athletes were being subjected to discriminatory treatment, discouraging their participation and jeopardising their sporting careers. They warned that if their concerns remained unaddressed, they would intensify and expand their protest campaign.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026