ISLAMABAD: In a major boost for Pakistan’s sporting landscape and regional cooperation, the South Asian countries, meeting in Tashkent, formally announced that Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games from March 23 to 31, 2027.
Islamabad is expected to take center stage by hosting the majority of sporting disciplines, while Lahore and Faisalabad will share hosting responsibilities, underscoring a multi-city celebration of sport and unity across the country.
The decision marks the end of years of uncertainty surrounding the South Asian Games, which were originally scheduled for 2022 but faced repeated postponements due to various challenges.
Only months after granting the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) the flexibility to suggest dates of its choice for the 2027 South Asian Olympic Games, the South Asian countries has formally locked in March 23–31, 2027 as the official window for the mega sporting spectacle.
The decisive breakthrough came after extensive consultations and persuasive lobbying spearheaded by POA Secretary Mohammad Khalid Mehmood, whose efforts were firmly backed by Federal Government Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani. Their coordinated push proved instrumental in securing consensus within the SA countries and finalising the long-awaited dates.
Adding further weight to Pakistan’s successful bid was a highly significant development at the meeting, where a three-member Indian delegation openly and fully endorsed Pakistan’s right to host the Games, underlining regional unity and confidence in Pakistan’s organisational credentials.
The meeting in Tashkent was convened to determine the final dates and review preparations for the long-delayed Games. At the outset, the South Asian sports fraternity extended warm congratulations to Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on his successful and unanimous election as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
The meeting was chaired by HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, OCA Vice President for South Asia, and attended by Presidents and/or Secretaries General of the National Olympic Committees of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, reflecting strong regional participation and consensus.
Pakistan was represented by Arif Saeed, President of the Pakistan Olympic Association and the South Asian Olympic Council, along with Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Government of Pakistan.
After detailed deliberations, the SAOC unanimously approved the proposed dates and further authorized the POA/NOC Pakistan to make adjustments within the same time frame, allowing a flexibility of up to one week if required for operational or logistical reasons.
The meeting also unanimously agreed that the sports disciplines and events will remain unchanged, as finalized earlier at the SA countries Executive Committee meeting held on February 25, 2025, in Lahore, and subsequently circulated to all member countries.
Beyond the immediate planning, South Asian nations resolved to initiate further discussions on developing a more sustainable and future-oriented model for regional sports, with emphasis on long-term cooperation, efficiency, and improved delivery of multi-sport events across South Asia.
In a significant diplomatic and organizational move, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani extended a formal invitation to all South Asian countries to visit Pakistan in May 2026. The proposed visit aims to continue consultations, review and monitor the progress of preparations, and further strengthen regional collaboration in sport ahead of the Games.
With the dates now locked and regional consensus firmly in place, Pakistan’s hosting of the 14th South Asian Games is shaping up to be not just a sporting spectacle, but a powerful symbol of revival, unity, and renewed confidence in the country’s ability to stage major international events.
