POA holds meetings to discuss South Asian Games

LAHORE: Just days after the formation of the new government, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) held meetings with the national sports federations here until late Saturday night to discuss matters relating to the 14th South Asian Games which Pakistan is expected to host early next year.

According to sources, meetings were held in three groups and the final meeting concluded at around 10:30pm Saturday.

Sources said that the basic purpose of these meetings was to collect data from the national sports federations relating to the numbers of their athletes who will be taking part in the South Asian Games, the expenses which will be incurred, training camps and whether they will require foreign coaches and foreign training.

Sources who attended the meetings told this correspondent that it was important to collect data before holding a meeting with the government officials. Sources said that the POA was to hold a meeting with the IPC Secretary on Sunday but it was postponed. However, sources said that the meeting can be held anytime soon.

Sources said that in the meeting with the IPC Secretary the data collected from the national federations and other relevant matters relating to the South Asian Games will be discussed. Sources said that in the meeting with the government official formation of the Organising Committee for the 14th South Asian Games will also be discussed.

“It is important to form Organising Committee and other committees,” a source said. Sources said that discussion would also be held on venues which will host the South Asian Games.

This will be the third time that Pakistan will be hosting the biennial event. It hosted the same showpiece in 1989 and 2004 in Islamabad. Sources said that the actual dates of the Games will be decided after consultation with the state machinery.

Sources said that Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Gujranwala are the cities which are under consideration. However, sources said that Narowal Sports Complex can also be utilised for the purpose. Sources that these things are not yet final.

Sources said that after finalising the matters with the federal government the matter will then be taken to the forum of the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC). Sources said that it’s just the start and once the government gives a formal nod then work towards hosting the slots will start with full force.

Sources said that the spectacle is not possible this year and it could be conducted early next year. Sources said that they would try to finalise the most suitable window for the ten-day affair, adding effort would be made that it does not clash with next year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Sources said that 25 disciplines have already been finalised while Pakistan will opt for two more provided four nations make their entries in those disciplines. The 14th South Asian Games were initially scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in March 2023 but were postponed. The event also could not be made possible this spring because of the general elections in Pakistan.

Sources said pressure from the member nations of the South Asian Olympic Council was natural as four years have passed since the last edition was conducted in Nepal towards of the end of 2019.

A source said that Sri Lanka had also shown keen interest in hosting these Games at the chefs de mission meeting of the 2019 Nepal South Asian Games. However, Pakistan told them clearly that it was Pakistan’s turn and it would host these Games.

A source said that even in 2021 a meeting with the PTI-led government had been held in this connection but to no avail. Sources are confident that the current regime under the premier Shahbaz Sharif will be able to gracefully hold the extravaganza which will help a lot for the soft image of the country and for the nation’s sports development.