South Asian games preparations take centre stage in Islamabad

The Executive Committee of the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) is scheduled to meet in the Pakistani capital on Sunday to review

ISLAMABAD: Preparations for the 14th South Asian Games are gaining momentum as senior Olympic officials from across the region gather in Islamabad ahead of a key meeting on the regional sporting event.

The Executive Committee of the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) is scheduled to meet in the Pakistani capital on Sunday to review arrangements for the Games, which Pakistan is due to host early next year.

Delegations from several participating countries have already arrived in Islamabad, while others are expected to reach the capital shortly. A delegation from Nepal, including National Sports Council President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Vice-President Chaturananda Raj Vaidya and council member Sikka Suwal Shrestha, was among those welcomed by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

India’s representative is expected to join the executive committee meeting through video link.

The visiting officials are also scheduled to inspect sports facilities in Islamabad as part of their assessment of preparations. Lahore, however, is not included in the venue inspection itinerary.

Pakistan intends to hold the Games primarily in Islamabad and Lahore. Lahore will serve as the Games Secretariat and is expected to host most of the competitions, while Faisalabad will also be involved as a host city, with handball scheduled to be played there.

The upcoming edition will be Pakistan’s third time hosting the South Asian Games. The country previously staged the regional competition in Islamabad in 1989 and again in 2004.

The biennial Games bring together athletes from across South Asia in a wide range of sporting disciplines. Sunday’s meeting is expected to give regional officials an opportunity to assess preparations, examine venues and address remaining issues before the competition begins.

With the Games approaching, the Islamabad gathering represents an important step in Pakistan’s efforts to finalise arrangements and deliver a successful regional sporting event.