And, finally, the steering committee of the 14th South Asian Games met in Islamabad for the first time on February 10 to discuss various matters regarding the biennial spectacle. The authorities need to work hard to make the Games possible. The government plans to hold the event by March 2023 in Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad. Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) wanted to host the Games in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Gujranwala keeping in view the importance of these cities. The Prime Minister had also told the POA that the Games should be conducted in Punjab's major cities. But now things seem to have changed. Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad are now on the radar. I don't think ideal preparations could be made in the time that is left.

Initially, we were thinking that these would be the best Games which Pakistan would host but I don't think we can meet that target now because nothing big has been done so far. Hope the government wholeheartedly coordinates with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to organise these Games in the most befitting way as it will help boost the image of the country. We already have the experience of hosting these Games twice and this time its quality should be much better. The POA has the expertise on how to conduct these Games and the NOC should be given weightage in the whole exercise. If the government thinks that it will exclusively hold the Games then it will not be possible. The role of the POA will be of paramount importance in the whole exercise.

Besides physical preparations Pakistan will need to prepare its athletes well if we are to compete with India which has been an undisputed king of these Games. Being hosts we will need to at least finish second in these Games. And for that the government will need to invest heavily. Almost all camps should have been started by now. We don't see full-fledged camps for these Games. Just for a few disciplines we have held camps and there too the number of athletes is low. There is still restriction on the body-contact games due to Covid. The NCOC should lift that ban from the sports as it is very important to kick-start preparations for the South Asian Games.

We will need foreign coaches for the majority of the disciplines and these coaches should be hired within the next one and a half months. So far, we have a foreign coach in taekwondo only. It means we are very slow in the execution of the plans. Plans should be executed with maximum speed otherwise it will be too difficult for us to prepare our squads well enough to compete with India.

India has developed its sports and it always sends its second string to the South Asian Games in a number of disciplines and we cannot compete even with them. If we are to host the Games, we should improve our standings from fourth to second, at least. If we again finish fourth or third despite being the host country then it will be of no use.

Pakistan should also send its squads abroad for foreign training or invite other nations for joint training camps so that we could prepare well for these Games. A huge effort will be needed for meeting these targets.

If we are unable to make the desired preparations for these Games then we can slightly delay the event but we should be hundred percent ready and nothing should be done in a hasty way.

Now let's read the press release of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) after the first meeting of the steering committee on February 10.

"First meeting of the Steering Committee for holding of South Asian Games to be held in March 2023 was held under the chairman Asad Umar, Minister for Planning and Development and Dr Fehmida Mirza, vice-chairman. Secretary IPC briefed the committee regarding the preparedness of sports infrastructure for holding different events of South Asian Games including mega upgradation of the existing facilities which would be completed much prior to the commencement of the Games. "The meeting was informed that all the initial requirements (i) guarantee for entry of athletes on accreditation cards (ii) free visa to high level dignitaries (iii) tax and custom duty exemptions for athletes on goods and equipment being brought by the athletes have already been done by the IPC. The meeting focused on the organizational aspects of the 14th South Asian Games. Different arrangements including logistics, security, venue selection, player training and hiring of foreign coaches were also discussed. During the meeting it was also informed that venues will be finalized by the organizing committee and the two optional games will also be decided by the organizing committee. The committee was further apprised that the secretariat for games is also underway.

"The committee was informed that different training camps for volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, taekwondo, athletics and hockey are being held. Foreign coaches for volleyball and taekwondo are being hired to train the local players. Furthermore, hiring of foreign coach for hockey is also under process.

"Secretary Sports Punjab briefed the meeting regarding the preparedness of the government of Punjab and it was apprised that the sports infrastructure required for holding the events will be completed. President Pakistan Olympic Association during his presentation highlighted different aspects of the Games.

The minister for Planning and Development remarked that the training of the athletes is a top priority for the government and foreign coaches to enhance performance of athletes. Minister for Sports Punjab Taimoor Bhatti was also in attendance along with other members of the steering committee."

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