National Games likely to be held in May

KARACHI: The 35th National Games, scheduled to be held in Karachi February this year will now be held in May, The News has learnt.

Informed sources said that due to delay in release of the funds by the government, the National Games have been delayed. The Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) is organising the National Games. Its Secretary General Ahmed Ali Rajput, when contacted, confirmed that the National Games would not be held in February.

The SOA Secretary General said that the decision to this effect was taken in the Executive Council meeting of POA, held in Lahore on December 30. Rajput further said that the exact dates and schedule of 35th National Games will be notified shortly with the approval of the Executive Committee of the POA.

He further said that the organising committee of National Games would start the preparation this month. He said that the SOA wanted all the preparations of National Games to be completed before Ramadan (in March).

Sources said that two or three important meetings regarding the National Games would be held in January. Sources said that organising the National Games featuring more than 7000 athletes of various disciplines at different venues would be a herculean task.

Sindh sports minister Sardar Muhammad Baksh Khan Mehar has said that National Games would be held in Karachi in a befitting manner. Sources confirmed that issues related to the approval of funds for National Games have been resolved.