Venues and infrastructure
It was reported that the Government of Pakistan designated around Rs 2 billion for infrastructure. [10] In July 2020, it was announced that the federal government had set forth more than Rs 3.5 billion for the South Asian Games. [11]
The Pakistan Olympic Association wants to base the games in Lahore, while Gujranwala is being considered for weightlifting and wrestling competitions while Sialkot and Narowal for volleyball. [12] Faisalabad is under consideration for handball while along with it, Gojra is under consideration for field hockey. [12] Kasur may also be one of the venues. [12] It was also reported that the POA intends to organise the football competition in Karachi, Sindh. [12] In May 2020, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed hosting events at a gymnasium, despite not being a host city. [13] Syed Aqil Shah, President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association requested that the POA should include Peshawar as one of the host cities for the Games. [14]
"We will place athletes in these sports in these cities which are about two hours away by road from Lahore,” Hasan, Vice President of Olympic Council of Asia added. Pakistan has hosted the South Asian Games twice before – in 2004 and 1989, both times in Islamabad. “We are looking forward to hosting the South Asian Games again. It is our turn and we hope that all countries including India will turn up. We will ensure that security is high and we will be inviting India. I’m very confident that India will accept our invitation". [15]
On 11 January 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a go-ahead signal to the Pakistan Olympic Association and the Federal Sports Ministry to host the Games. [16] On 15 January 2021, POA President Syed Arif Hasan further said that the venues have almost been finalised and in the next meeting with the federal sports minister on 18 January in Islamabad, several other key decisions would be taken with respect to holding the Games. [17]
On 12 July 2021, it was confirmed that some events will be shared between Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Islamabad and Sialkot. [18] On 11 February 2022, it was announced that the government wanted the opening ceremony and closing ceremonies in Islamabad and Lahore, respectively, and for football competitions to be held in Lahore. [19] On 13 February 2022, the government announced plans to hold the event by March 2023 in Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad. [20]
The much delayed Games were rescheduled following a meeting of South Asian Olympic officials held on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia in Tashkent. Representatives of all South Asian National Olympic Committees participated in the meeting and unanimously agreed to award Pakistan the hosting rights. It was decided that the 14th South Asian Games would be staged in Pakistan from 23 to 31 March 2027. Officials of the Pakistan Olympic Association assured full support from the government for the successful organization of the event. The meeting also agreed that participating nations would be invited to visit Pakistan in 2026 to review preparations and facilities ahead of the Games. [21]
