Pakistan has finalized plans to host the 14th South Asian Games in 2027. The regional sports event will take place from April 4 to 11.
The games will be held across Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. More than 6,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on the preparations. The meeting reviewed plans for hosting the major regional sporting event.
The South Asian Games are a major multi-sport competition in the region. The competition has been held since 1984.
Eight countries have traditionally participated in the event. They include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The upcoming edition will be the 14th South Asian Games. The previous edition was held in Nepal in 2019.
India finished as the top-performing country during the 2019 competition. The next edition has faced several delays over the years.
The event was initially planned for 2021. It was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Games later faced another delay in January 2026. Pakistan has now finalized dates for the 2027 edition.
A total of 28 sports will be contested during the competition. The sports program will include several popular disciplines.
Athletics, swimming, hockey, football and volleyball are among the planned events. Boxing and other team sports will also feature in the competition.
The organizers expect thousands of athletes and officials from across South Asia. Their participation will make the event a major regional sporting gathering.
The Steering Committee has also approved several administrative arrangements. A National Coordinator will be appointed for the Games.
Steering, Organizing and Provincial Committees will also be established. These committees will oversee different parts of the preparations.
Dar directed government departments to maintain close coordination. He also called for sports venues to be completed on time.
The deputy prime minister stressed the need for strong administrative arrangements. He also directed officials to maintain high standards throughout the preparations.
The Steering Committee will meet every month to review progress. These meetings will help officials monitor preparations and address potential issues.
The South Asian Games will bring athletes from across the region together. Pakistan will host competitions in multiple cities and provinces.
The event is expected to provide a major platform for regional athletes. It will also highlight Pakistan’s sporting facilities and organizational capabilities.
In other related news also read 14th South Asian Games: Pakistan Finally Announces Schedule
With preparations now underway, authorities are focusing on venues and coordination. The government aims to ensure the successful hosting of the 2027 South Asian Games.
