Sports in Bara, Khyber Agency

In Pakistan, little by little people are returning to their homes following
the mop-up campaign against the armed groups. Look at the details here.

With the help of JEN’s supporters and the Japanese government JEN is working
on a livelihood improvement program, targeting the repatriated inhabitants of
FATA (Federally Administrated Tribal Area) Khyber Agency.
This program focuses on breeding livestock.

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With the return of displaced people to Bara, the government and humanitarian organizations started projects to restore the normal life of the people. Prior to displacement, the famous sports in Bara were cricket, hokey, volleyball and football. In particular, cricket was considered the game of the area as it was played all around Bara. After the return, people have lost the passion for cricket and other sports as they were busy with their settlement which always takes time.  Children, however, can be seen in some parts of Bara playing cricket. The schools were the first facilities for the children for promotion of sports, but after the war and long displacement, there is not much left with the schools as well in this regard.

Considering the needs and to promote sports in the area, the government has taken its first step. In November 2016, the head of Army inaugurated a sports complex in Bara Khyber Agency together with the most famous cricketer of Pakistan, Shahid Khan Afridi. The cricket stadium-cum-sports complex is named after him as Shahid Afridi Sports Complex. The complex is composed of a cricket ground, football ground, basketball ground and net practice areas. There will be one children park as well within the sports complex. One water supply plant (solar system plant) will be installed as well in the sports complex.

Although at the moment, the stadium and other facilities are not so crowded but in the future after people fully settled, they will start using it. Local people say that there is much talent in the area, however due to unavailability of resources and facilities, the talents can’t be brought forward. They are confident that with such facilities available for the people of Bara, many athletes of national and international standards will emerge. However, it’s a long journey ahead and this sports complex project is just a first step.

[Complex model]


[Cricket net practice place]


[football ground]


[basketball court]



[Solar power water tank]





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