Kohat off to flying start in KP Inter-Divisional Basketball Championship.

PESHAWAR -- Spirited Kohat recorded a thumping victory in the opening match of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Divisional Basketball Championship, which got under way here at Qayyum Sports Complex on Sunday.

Director General Sports KP Junaid Khan was the chief guest on this occasion who formally inaugurated the Championship in which teams from Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Mardan, Hazara, Malakand and Peshawar are taking part. President KP Basketball Association Mohammad Faqir Awan, former international basketball player and Director Sports PSB Din Mohammad Director, Development Niamat Ullah Khan Marwat, former international basketball player and Secretary KP Basketball Association Raj Mir Khan, players, officials and large number of spectators were also present in the newly habilitated basketball court in Qayyum Sports Complex. The court was almost damaged because of the construction work and was non-functional since 2012 but thanks to DG Sports Junaid Khan for re-activating the court by developing its new surface besides installation of new basketball polls and construction of sitting area around the court.

Mohammad Faqir Awan, hailing from District Kohat, appreciated for the re-activating the court in the heart of Qayyum Sports Complex with a new look. It took eight-years as the court did not hold any basketball activities since 2012, Faqir Awan added.

He also lauded the Directorate of Sports KP for the construction of basketball courts in all newly constructed grounds across the province. He said with the steps it would help in promoting the games across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and good talent would be come up at national and international levels.

He said a total of 19 districts are currently affiliated with KP Basketball Association but it is mandatory to hold a Divisional Basketball Championship, therefore, they are holding the Championship on divisional level.

He said according to form of the game, two of the top teams would qualify for the forthcoming National (B-Grade) Divisional Basketball Championship to be organized in Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad from April 10 under the aegis of Pakistan Basketball Federation.

Two top teams would be qualified out of the National Divisional B-Grade Basketball Championship to the A-grade, Faqir Awan said. The Championship...