Latest news with #14thSouthAsianGames
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to host South Asian Games in 2026 with 27 sports across Lahore venues
Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games in January 2026, following a meeting of the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPC) on June 2. The Punjab government has agreed to organise the multi-sport event, which will feature athletes competing across 27 disciplines. Lahore will host a wide range of sports including archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, fencing, football, golf, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, rugby, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, and cricket, according to the Pakistan Sports Board. During the session, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) presented its recommendations to the Ministry of IPC. A high-level committee, supervised by the IPC Secretary and comprising representatives from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, was formed to review these proposals. The committee is tasked with submitting a detailed report within two weeks, covering budgeting, security arrangements, and venue selection for the Games. Officials stressed the government's commitment to mobilise all necessary resources to ensure the event meets international standards. Discussions also addressed potential organisational challenges and strategies to mitigate any disruptions. Hosting the South Asian Games is expected to enhance Pakistan's global image by showcasing its ability to stage major international sporting events. The Punjab government and Islamabad administration are preparing to provide world-class facilities and hospitality to athletes and officials.
Arab News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan vows to promote merit in selection of athletes on International Day of Sports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday promised to promote merit in the selection of athletes and institutional discipline across the country's sports federations, state-run media said, as the world marked the International Day of Sport and Development for Peace (IDSDP). The IDSDP is annually celebrated on Apr. 6 to recognize the power of sport in fostering positive change, bridging barriers, and transcending boundaries. This year, the IDSDP will focus on the theme of 'Social Inclusion,' which aims to challenge stereotypes, promote equal opportunities and enable inclusive sport for all. 'The government is introducing reforms to ensure transparency, accountability and professionalism in national sports federations to improve institutional governance, prioritize merit in the selection of athletes and promote ethical values in the field of sports,' Sharif was quoted as saying, according to a statement from his office. Pakistan's sports federations have been heavily criticized for lack of improvements in infrastructure, training programs, or scouting systems for youth. Media reports have alleged that some sports federations are still heavily influenced by political connections due to which they do not select athletes on merit. The Pakistani premier noted that sports were an effective way to further national progress, empower youth and highlight Pakistan's identity at the international level. He said this was the reason that the government had declared sports a central pillar of its development agenda. Sharif said Pakistan was determined to become the 'center of excellence' in sports and tourism in the region by holding countrywide training camps and the 14th South Asian Games in 2026. He appealed to all the stakeholders, including civil society and development partners to prominently include sports in policies and programs related to education, health, development and peace. 'Let us together strengthen our system of sports and create an all-encompassing, empowered and sustainable society,' Sharif concluded.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms commitment to sports
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday emphasized Pakistan's commitment to leveraging sports as a powerful tool for national growth and global harmony. In his message on the occasion of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, the premier stated that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the international community in recognizing the transformative power of sports to promote positive change, eliminate barriers, and foster unity beyond borders. Highlighting the role of sports in youth empowerment and national development, he said, "Sports serve as an effective medium for advancing our society and projecting Pakistan's identity on the world stage. This is why our government has declared sports a key pillar of its developmental agenda." He elaborated that the National Sports Policy is centered on grassroots participation, talent discovery, gender equality, and inclusivity. Citing initiatives like the Arshad Nadeem / Shehbaz Sharif High-Performance Academy, he said the goal is to equip young athletes with scientific training, financial backing, and modern facilities to help them meet future challenges. The prime minister stressed the importance of good governance in sports, stating, "We believe that strong governance is the foundation of successful sports institutions." He added that the government is implementing reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within national sports federations, ensuring merit-based athlete selection and ethical conduct. He further mentioned Pakistan's preparations for the 14th South Asian Games in 2026 and efforts to organize nationwide training camps as part of its vision to establish the country as a regional hub of sports excellence and tourism. Concluding his message, the Prime Minister urged all stakeholdersincluding civil society and development partnersto integrate sports into policies related to education, health, development, and peace.
