POA meeting to finalise National Games preparations today

KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) General Secretary Khalid Mehmood arrived in Karachi on Monday to review preparations for the 35th National Games, scheduled to take place from May 1-9. Secretaries of various sports federations also reached Karachi for an important meeting set to be held on Tuesday at a local hotel, The News has learned.

Sources said POA officials will meet with the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA), the organizing body of the National Games, to assess the current status of preparations, which have been progressing slowly. With less than five weeks remaining, concerns have been raised about the lack of significant progress.

The POA is expected to take concrete steps to accelerate preparations, and sources suggest that committees may be formed to oversee and expedite the process of organizing the National Games on its schedule from May 1-9.

Meanwhile, with POA General Secretary Khalid Mehmood and other high-ranking officials from various sports federations present in Karachi, the sports community—including athletes, coaches, and parents—has urged organizers to consider the academic schedules of student-athletes when planning major sporting events. A group of athletes pointed out that Matric and Intermediate exams are scheduled in the coming months, making it difficult for young athletes to balance their studies and participation in the National Games.