KHAR: The team of Khyber Agency won All Fata Governor Football Tournament by defeating Bajaur team after a tough contest here on Sunday.   

The tournament was organised by Fata Olympic Association. It was one of the mega sports events held in the militancy-hit Bajaur tribal region since 2004.

A large number of tribesmen, elders, members of different peace committees, workers of political parties and sports fans watched the final match that played between the teams of Khyber and Bajaur agencies.

Players of both the teams showed excellent performance and the match remained undecided till the end of the last half. Latter, the match was decided with help of penalty kicks wherein the guest team defeated the host team by 5-3.

Bajaur Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah, who was chief guest on the occasion, awarded prizes and shields to the players.

Addressing the ceremony, he said that sports activities were vital for improvement of law and order situation in the region. He said that sports activities were necessary for bringing normalcy to the militancy-hit tribal areas.Mr Shah said that administration wanted to discourage militancy and establish peace by promoting sports in the entire agency. He said that sports centres would be established in different areas to promote peace and tolerance in the society.

The official said that modern facilities would be provided soon to Bajaur Sports Complex. He said that in that regard a mega project of Rs30 million was under process.

Appreciating performance of local players, he said that local youth had extraordinary talent and sprit but unfortunately sports board had ignored them.

Speaking on the occasion, general secretary of Fata Olympic Association Shahid Shinwari said that government was interested in promotion of sports in the tribal areas. “For this purpose, different kinds of sports activities have been initiated in various parts of Fata,” he added.

Mr Shinwari said that holding sports events were important for finding new talent in tribal areas. He said that more sports events would be held after Eid in tribal areas.