National Games may be delayed again

KARACHI: With less than one and a half months left before the 35th National Games, scheduled for May 1-9 in Karachi, the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) has yet to begin preparations.

According to sources, SOA has not formed the necessary committees to oversee event arrangements or initiated tenders for essential procurements, such as track suits, shoes, trophies, medals, and souvenirs for athletes and officials.

Around 10,000 athletes are expected to participate, and the process of acquiring and distributing their kits and awards takes significant time. In government-funded projects, tenders must be issued, and bids invited before purchases can be made, but no such steps have been taken so far.

Given the current situation, the sports community believes the National Games may be delayed, as one month is insufficient to host such a large-scale event efficiently, especially when practically nothing has been done so far, a seasoned sports organiser, who is also secretary of an association, said.

Sources within SOA confirmed that no committees have been established yet. The delay is reportedly due to the Sindh government’s failure to transfer the required funds to SOA accounts. Additionally, SOA’s account has been inactive for months due to technical issues, and efforts to open a new one have been slow.