PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is finalising a list of reforms for inclusion in the first provincial sports policy of the country to be announced soon, say officials.

Among the possible reforms are the introduction of criteria for disbursement of annual grant-in-aid to sports associations , development of standard operating procedures for distribution of sports equipment, talent hunt and player selection, ban on the use of sports facilities for activities other than sports, constitution of provincial steering committee for playgrounds, development of district monitoring committee for playgrounds established in tehsils, holding of capacity building workshops for management committees, and filling of vacant positions of coaches and other non-technical staff members at sports facilities and bodies.

The others include the introduction of membership system for sports venues, profiling and mapping of all sports venues, establishment of the code of conduct for officials, players, coaches and staff members of sports facilities, establishment of provincial level advisory board for sports and event management, standardisationof sports facilities according to internadonal needs, and restructuring of the directorate general (sports).

The of ficials told Dawn that for the first time in the country`s 70-year history, the KP government was looking after the importance of qualified coaches that not only train and coach young sportspersons at grassroots level but also helps and proves a source of employment generation.

They said the proposed steps would help explore sports talents in all districts, where coaches, assistant coaches and deputy coaches would be appointed for the purpose.

The officials said the ongoing reforms post-18th Constitutional Amendment are ensuring transparency and eliminate favouritism in the sports related affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They strongly feel that the reforms will not only help explore `hidden` talents at tehsil, district and provincial levels but also enable players to utilise their capabilities and energies for the glory of the country at world level.

According to officials of the sports department, though the sports department was established in light of the Charter of Pakistan Sports Board, it negated that mandate.

The basic work according to that charter was to develop nurseries of variousgames at grassroots level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by involving the maximum number of youths below 16 years of age.

However, the department failed miserably as it was not been equipped or looked after by the successive governments the way it deserved. After the devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, like other sectors, the provincial government set 18 reforms initiatives for the revival of sports sector.

Though this key sector related to the youths was neglected by the previous governments, the provincial government decided to restructure it through prioritised reforms only to widen its scope to benefit the maximum number of youths.

The of ficials said looking af ter the importance of sports, the government launched institutional reforms initiatives like in other sectors with the belief to give a change to the people as for the improvement of life standard of the youths. They said after reforms were initiated, a directive was passed on to the relevant department to speed up work for its implementation.

The officials said besides development of new playing facilities, an agenda of 18 reforms initiatives was also undertaken.

They said nine initiatives had been accomplished and notified, while the rest would be notified in two months.