Sindh Games to be held in Karachi in mid-May

KARACHI: Although it was the turn of Larkana as per rotation policy, the Sindh government on Monday announced that it was going to stage the 17th Sindh Games in Karachi.

With the dates yet to be finalised for the mega provincial event, the Sindh sports minister Sardar Mohammad Khan Bux Mahar said that they would try to hold the event in a befitting manner. “After taking into consideration various problems in the interior Sindh we decided that it would be easy for us to hold the event in Karachi where we can take all necessary measures to make the event a success,” Mahar said at a press briefing here on Monday.

He said that dates were discussed and it was decided that mid-May would be appropriate for the spectacle. “We will be happy if people like you suggest a better time-frame,” the minister said.

He was flanked by Sindh sports secretary Salim Raza, Sindh government sports department consultant Mushir Rabbani and Director Sindh Sports Board Shehzad Pervez Bhatti.

The 16th Sindh Games were held in Hyderabad in 2012 when late Dr Mohammad Ali Shah was the minister and head of the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA).

Shah conducted five Sindh Games in a row in a record time of five years.

But his successors failed to keep the momentum as no games have been held for four years.

Young Mahar knows the importance of the revival of the event. “It is the most prestigious event of Sindh and we are desperately trying to revive it,” Mahar added. He said Rs15 million had already been approved for the purpose. “There are several things which are to be handled. The chief minister has assured us if we need any additional amount for the purpose it will be provided,” Mahar said.

He failed to give any satisfying reply when he was asked what mechanism he had made for streamlining Sindh sports.

The minister said he had said to federal minister for inter-provincial coordination (IPC) Riaz Pirzada that the PSB Coaching Centre Karachi should be handed over to Sindh.

The minister claimed that his department had done a great job in establishing infrastructure throughout Sindh. “We have completed every project in time,” he said.

Rabbani said that men would compete in 22 disciplines in Sindh Games, while women will feature in 17.

He said that all the players would be provided with full kits. “The athletes will be given complete equipment,” he said.

He said venues such as KMC Sports Complex, NED University and Karachi University had already been finalised for the games.

This is the first time that Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) has not been given a role in the organisation of the competitions which is its constitutional right.

The organisers say that in 2012 there were two Sindh Olympic Associations. Although the dispute has now been resolved, they do not want to make the event controversial, they say.

The task of organising some of the competitions will be given to event management companies.