Sports activities to calm nervousness among youth in FATA: Kifatullah

PESHAWAR—International qualified coach of the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation and Secretary General of NWFP Table Tennis Association Kifatullah Khan has said that sports activities in FATA will smooth out tension among the youth.
Talking to newsmen he urged upon the concerned quarters to take practical steps in streamlining sports activities in across FATA so that the tribal youth could be involved in healthy activities.
He disclosed that NWFP Table Tennis Association (NWFPTTA) with the strong support of Pakistan Table Tennis Federation nominated four players, out of two from FATA and one each from Swat and Dera Ismail Khan to attend the forthcoming International coaching course to be starting from December 14-18 at Karachi. The coaching course will be held under the supervision of two top Korean coaches. While disclosing the name of the upcoming coaches - two from FATA and one each from Swat and Dera Ismail Khan, he said that these coaches will be training for the future in order search out talent and polished them in their respective areas. Imran and Farkhanda, hailing from Bajaur Agency and Jamrud and are physical education lecturer in Government Degree College for Boys Bajaur Agency and Government Girls College Jamrud when contacted told that they are very happy on their selection for the international coaching course.
Ms Farkhana said that she had played table tennis at school and college levels and now eagerly wanted to train and coach FATA females in the game in order to to bring them at bar with other areas. She said that FATA is full of talent and they need proper platform to show their skills.
Imran also termed the course very vital for him to learn good things about the game and impart these things in way back home. He said, Bajaur Agency has more table tennis talent but due to no facility the youngsters could not continue their game. He also demanded of the NWFP Governor to facilitate them to be part of Pakistan Olympic Association so that they FATA youth could find a platform to come up at national and international levels.
Kifatullah while commenting said that during the forthcoming 54th National Table Tennis Championship, an Indian firm “Stag” will donate two international standard tables to the Director Sports FATA. He thanked the firm, which is very prominent in promoting the game internationally, for donating game tables for FATA players. He disclosed that they had so far identified 32 players in Under-16 age group and if proper attention were given such talent would be very vital for the FATA future in the game. “We have also planned a camp somewhere in January in FATA among them all the 32 players will be invited,” he said. For this purpose, he said, Irfan, an ex-Table Tennis player and qualified coach, will be invited for the coaching purpose.—Agencies