Pakistan ready to host 14th South Asian Games

LAHORE: Pakistan is fully prepared to host the 14th South Asian Games, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial announced during a high-level meeting with the South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) delegation at the National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

“These games have great significance for the development of sports in the region,” Sial said while addressing the SAOC representatives who visited Lahore to review the preparations for the upcoming multi-sport event.

The delegation included Olympic committee presidents and officials from five participating nations: Bangladesh’s Ashiqur Rahman Miku and Siraj Uddin Alamgir; Bhutan’s Nim Dorji; Maldives’ Thamooh Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Munthaqim; Nepal’s Jeevan Ram Shrestha and Rajiv Shrestha; and Sri Lanka’s Suresh Subramaniam, Niluka Karunaratne, and Ilanga Wijeratne.

Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry provided a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s preparations for the South Asian Games. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Saeed, Secretary POA Khalid Mehmood, Additional Secretary Sports Mian Usman Ali, and other senior sports officials.

“The holding of the 14th South Asian Games will play a key role in the growth of sports culture in Pakistan,” Secretary Sial added while welcoming the delegation. POA President Arif Saeed highlighted the international reputation of the National Hockey Stadium and noted that hosting the Games “will provide great inspiration to Pakistani athletes across different sports.” The 14th South Asian Games are expected to enhance sports development throughout the region and strengthen sporting ties between South Asian nations.