KPK table tennis players complain of poor facilities

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is holding almost all the titles in table tennis but the players are lacking proper facilities to practice and hone their skills.
The province is holding Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 titles despite unfavourable conditions for the game of table tennis.The KPK players also bagged the second and third position in the national senior table tennis and South Asian Games, respectively.
Despite all these good performances the provincial sports ministry and Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are doing little for the welfare of players and the promotion of sports.“There is a single table tennis court at the Peshawar Sports Complex (Qayyum Stadium) but it is also arranged by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) where around 35 players are registered but it is also lacking required facilities.”
In other districts, temporary arrangements are made by placing tables in the gymnasium halls or other sports courts where players practice.The roof of the lone table tennis court at the complex is made of a galvanised iron sheet. Pleading anonymity some of the players complained of poor facilities and proper maintenance of the court. They had also seen water dripping from the ceiling whenever there is rain and that resulted in damaging the tables worth Rs150,000. Floor is also made of concrete instead of wooden semi-sprung floor. The players added that recently a player got injured his knee after he lost his balance and fell on the concrete floor.“There are only four tables for 35 players. We cannot continue our practice during loadshedding hours,” they said.
Another player said that a player needs five to six hours practice on a daily basis to compete with the international players.He added: “Tables and courts don’t meet the minimum international standard consequently they face problems while competing at the international events.”Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Table Tennis Association General Secretary Kifayatullah said the players were talented and have ability to win titles at international level given the proper facilities.