Staff Correspondent
CHITRAL: The Khuzar Sports Arena, a multi-purpose sports facility, was inaugurated in Murdan Valley of Garam Chashma, providing a dedicated space for sports to the youth in the mountainous region.
Home to around 800 households, Murdan Valley lacks suitable playing fields because of its steep, sloping terrain. To address this shortage, Zulfiqar Ali Khan established the Khuzar Foundation in June 2024 to develop a community sports facility for local children and young people.
Mr Khan, an Islamabad-based student-athlete and club footballer with Legacy Football Club, is studying computer software engineering and artificial intelligence at Roots International Schools and Colleges.
The project took shape after his father, Jahangir Khan, allocated a large portion of his cultivated land in Utray for the arena. Measuring 370 feet by 110 feet, the playing field was developed over more than a year through substantial private investment.
The facility has reached its initial stage of completion, with further improvements planned.
Speaking at the inauguration, Zulfiqar Ali Khan said the foundation aimed to keep young people away from drug abuse, idleness and negative social activities by encouraging sports and other healthy pursuits. It also seeks to bring together children and young people from different villages and backgrounds and help them develop their abilities.
He said the project had been funded through personal resources and was not intended for commercial gain, but to contribute to the betterment of society. The arena currently offers facilities for football, volleyball, badminton and a gymnasium. Plans also include a library and a sports club.
The ceremony was conducted by Sardar Azam and began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Aziz Jalal. Those attending included Ismaili Local Council President Jamil Ahmed, former presidents Fazal Hameed and Dilaram Khan, former regional president Muhammad Afzal, Advocate Shirin Khan, RPM Muhammad Karam, Ustad Khuda Panah, Manager Muhammad Isa, Rahimullah, Dr Miraj and ASI Misbahuddin.Speakers, including former nazim Abdul Qayyum, Abdullah Khan, Mir Ajab Shah, Islam Shah and Muhammad Rahim from Murdan Valley, praised the initiative and commended Zulfiqar Ali Khan for his vision and efforts. They also appreciated Jahangir Khan’s support in helping his son turn the vision into reality.
They said the project carried forward the philanthropic legacy associated with Minore and the late Rahmat Jawan Charwelo, Jahangir Khan’s great-grandfather and father, respectively.
Three competitions were held as part of the event: football matches for senior players and young people, and a tug-of-war contest. Sikandar Khan Charwelu briefly addressed the players and posed for photographs with the teams. The Murdan Cluster team won all three competitions.
At the conclusion of the event, guests and local dignitaries were presented with traditional Chitrali caps and floral garlands. Jahangir Khan thanked the participants, and lunch was served to the attendees.
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