South Asian Games return to Pakistan after 23 years

Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games from 3 to 11 April 2027, 23 years after the country last staged the regional sporting event in Islamabad in 2004.

The dates were approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the South Asia Olympic Council in Islamabad yesterday (23 August), chaired by Pakistan Olympic Association President Arif Saeed, who also heads the South Asian Olympic Committee, reports Dawn.

The meeting approved Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar as the host cities and reviewed Pakistan's preparations for the Games.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the meeting in person, while India joined via video link. All representatives endorsed the proposed dates, according to sources.

A visiting delegation is scheduled to inspect the proposed venues in Islamabad today (24 August).

The Games will feature 28 sports and 346 medal events, with more than 3,200 athletes expected to compete across the three host cities. Pakistan is preparing to accommodate around 4,000 athletes, technical officials and other foreign visitors.

Representatives of the participating countries reviewed Pakistan's preparations and arrangements during Sunday's meeting.

The federal government has already approved the Games and authorised the Pakistan Olympic Association and other stakeholders to organise the event. It has also pledged to provide the necessary funding.

Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the Games in 2021, but the event was postponed for various reasons. Preparations are now said to be in the final stages.

The visiting delegation also toured the Taxila Museum and other historical sites yesterday (23 August).

Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority has begun preparations to provide accommodation and other facilities for foreign visitors expected to arrive in Islamabad next year for the South Asian Games and other international events, including a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference.

"The federal government has been taking every possible step to make the three international events next year in Islamabad highly successful — the South Asian Games, SCO conference and a meeting of the OIC," a senior government official told Dawn.

He said the Pakistan Olympic Association, Foreign Office and federal government were jointly monitoring preparations for the Games.

"Everyone is on board and working as a team for these Games," he said.

India's participation not confirmed.

Asked about India's participation, the official said its representative had joined Sunday's meeting virtually and endorsed the proposed dates, which he said indicated that India intended to participate.

However, another source cautioned that India's participation could not yet be confirmed.

The South Asian Games bring together athletes from countries across the region and are held under the South Asia Olympic Council.