Postponed National Games now from December 6 in Karachi

LAHORE: In a significant development for Pakistan’s sporting calendar, the 35th National Games have been officially rescheduled to be held from December 6-13 this year in Karachi, following a high-level meeting between the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the government of Sindh.

The announcement came after a strategic session convened on May 7 at the invitation of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who reaffirmed his government’s full commitment to hosting a world-class, athlete-centric edition of the country’s premier multi-sport event.

The meeting was attended by a delegation from the Pakistan Olympic Association led by President Arif Saeed, alongside Senior Vice President Fatima Lakhani, Secretary General M Khalid Mahmood and Sindh Olympic Association Secretary General Ahmed Ali Rajput. Abdul Aleem Lashari, Secretary Sindh Sports & Youth Affairs Department, presented detailed preparations and logistical plans underway for the games.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah assured the POA delegation that comprehensive arrangements would be made to ensure athlete well-being, safety, and elite performance conditions. He emphasized the provincial government’s resolve to deliver a technically excellent and internationally compliant sporting event.

“We are fully committed to not just hosting the games but raising the standard of national sports,” said Shah, highlighting plans for top-tier accommodation, medical care, transportation, and high-performance infrastructure.

During the meeting, POA President Arif Saeed briefed the Chief Minister on the launch of the 1st National Youth Games—a landmark initiative aimed at cultivating young talent and strengthening the grassroots foundation of sports across the country.

The Chief Minister welcomed the initiative and assured full provincial support for Sindh’s participation and the success of the event. To support the upgraded vision for the National Games, Shah announced the construction of a state-of-the-art swimming pool and the procurement of advanced electronic timing and scoring systems, signaling a significant investment in sports infrastructure in Sindh.

Abdul Aleem Lashari was designated as the focal person for ensuring interdepartmental coordination, compliance with international standards, and seamless delivery of the event. In a landmark move for institutional sports governance, it was agreed that the games will be conducted under a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pakistan Olympic Association, the Government of Sindh, and the Sindh Olympic Association.

This MoU will provide a new governance model emphasizing athlete welfare, inter-agency coordination, and technological modernization—a progressive step hailed by stakeholders as a turning point for the future of Pakistani sports. “This collaboration lays the groundwork for a legacy-focused, inclusive, and professionally managed National Games,” said POA Secretary General M Khalid Mahmood.