LAHORE: Secretary of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Khalid Mahmood, has detailed Pakistan’s participation in a packed international sports calendar for 2026, calling it a monumental year for the country’s athletes.
According to Mahmood, Pakistan will feature in several mega events across the globe. The journey begins with the Asian Beach Games in April, followed by the Commonwealth Games in July. Later in the year, the national contingent will compete at the Asian Games in Japan in September, the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and finally the Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia in December.
In addition to international commitments, Mahmood confirmed that Pakistan is preparing to host the South Asian Games, a major regional event. He highlighted that the POA has held productive meetings with the Government of Pakistan to ensure smooth organization and successful delivery. Under the leadership of POA President Arif Saeed, a strong management team is being built to handle the diverse responsibilities of both hosting and international participation.
“This extensive calendar underscores Pakistan’s ambition to reassert itself on the global sporting stage, while also strengthening regional cooperation through the South Asian Games. For athletes, 2026 represents a year of opportunity, exposure, and the chance to elevate Pakistan’s profile in multiple disciplines,” said Khali in an informal conversation.
