Preparations for National Games in full swing

KARACHI: After the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) has resumed preparations for the 35th National Games, scheduled to be held in Karachi from May 1-9.

An important meeting of SOA and the provincial sports ministry is expected on April 8 to finalise arrangements, The News has learnt. This will be the first time in 18 years that Karachi will be hosting the National Games.

According to sources, the SOA office at the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) Complex reopened after the Eid holidays, with officials resuming work. Representatives from various sports associations have been in touch with the organising committee for details regarding the event.

An important meeting of the SOA organising committee is scheduled for April 8 to finalise preparations, including the formation of various committees responsible for transportation, travel and daily allowances (TA/DA), medical services, and technical arrangements.

The National Games Secretariat will be established at the KMC Sports Complex in the second week of April. All relevant officials and stakeholders will be directed to contact the SOA and the organising committee, which will be based there from mid-April.

Trials for Sindh’s sports contingent will also begin in the coming days. Departmental sports teams are expected to start arriving in Karachi from mid of April, likely in the second or third week of April. These teams will set up training camps and will bear their own expenses for training and accommodation.

In contrast, the Sindh government will cover all expenses for local teams, including travel and daily allowances, as well as transportation costs for the duration of their participation. Approximately 10,000 athletes and officials will take part in the event, representing Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with Army, Air Force, Navy, WAPDA, Railways, Police, and the Higher Education Commission.

A total of 21 sports venues have been approved for the event by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). Last month, a three-member POA Venue Inspection Committee visited various sports facilities in Karachi to finalize the selections.