hyber Pakhtunkhwa women participated in theprovincial Inter-Collegiate SportsCompetitions.Over 15,000 athletes took part in the games. They hailed from around 300 institutions in the province, including some from the recently merged tribal districts.

Under the auspices of the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,the women players showed their talents in three sports – cricket, badminton and volleyball. It was a symbolic attempt to provide equal opportunities to girls and boys.

The provincial government’s policy regarding sports and games has borne fruit.It has been successful in overcoming social taboos and highlightingthe sporting talent at the provincial level.

According to officials of the KP Directorate General of Sports, 80 percent work on separate sports facilities for girl players has been completed at divisional levels; district sports facilities have already been made functional.The recent participation of girls in inter-university and inter-college events was an ample proof of the change.

The winners were given commendation certificates, trophies, medals (gold, silver and bronze) and cash prizes up to Rs 100,000 in addition to stipends for participation in the games.

Under the plan, three sports complexes located in Charasadda, Mardan and Peshawar were designated for the final inter-college sports competitions to ensure foolproof security and maximum participation. The inter-college women sports and games competitions came to an end last week in Peshawar Sports Complex.

According to officials of the KP Directorate General of Sports, 80 percent work on separate sports facilities for girl-players has been completed at divisional levels; district sports facilities have already been made functional. The recent participation of young girls in inter- university and inter-college events was an ample proof of the change.

Talking to The News on Sunday, RasheedaGhaznavi,the KPwomen sports director, said that the environment for KP women’s participation in games has improveda lot.She said incentives and sports talent scholarship introduced in 2015 have contributed to encouraging girls at all levels.

Asim Sheraz, the Sports Writers’ Forum (SFF) president, said incentives, including stipends, should be increased to encourage more women to participate.“There should be separatesports facilities for girls in all divisions. Kudos to KP authorities for devising and implementing policiesthat promote women’s sports,” he said.

Shazia, hailing from Bannu, said that her team hadsecured the second position in the cricket final in Peshawar.“Wehad no coach or trainer. Next time,we will clinch the trophy.The environment and the facilities here were good.”

She said that hundreds of young women across the province had participated in sports and games.“Theywon medals, cash prizes and will pave the way for the next generation of athletes,” she said.

“The credit goes to KP Directorate General Sports for instilling the spirit of sports participation among women especially school, college and university-going girls,”said Razia, a girl from Swat.

“My team got the third position.Still, I am in high spirits.Taking part in the sports event was very satisfying. I have resolved to encourage other girls in our college to bring out their talent,” Sultana said.

“Women players do not lag behind in any sports activity.They should be encouraged to participate in more games. More female sports trainers should be recruited in the directorate to enhance the capability of the young women athletes,” Asim Sheraz said.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. He tweets at  @Shinwar-9