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LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved an estimated allocation of Rs1 billion for the upgradation of four facilities at Lahore’s Nishtar Park Sports Complex as preparations gather pace for the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games, scheduled to be held from April 3 to 11, 2027.
The facilities will be upgraded to meet international standards, with Lahore set to host 10 sporting disciplines during the regional multi-sport event. According to a senior government official, work on the required venues has already commenced as authorities move to ensure the city is ready for the competition.
In a significant development, the provincial government has rejected a proposal by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to stage some SAF Games events at the Narowal Sports Complex. The decision followed a review by the Punjab Sports Board, which raised concerns regarding accommodation, transportation and security arrangements for visiting athletes and officials.
Officials noted that Narowal lacks sufficient lodging facilities for international participants, while its location near the Indian border was also cited as a factor in the assessment. The board further warned that transporting athletes between Lahore and Narowal on a daily basis would create additional logistical and security challenges.
As a result, Punjab’s share of the SAF Games programme will be centred on facilities in Lahore, where preparations and infrastructure improvements are already underway. Meanwhile, Islamabad is scheduled to host 15 sporting disciplines during the Games. However, according to the official, venue upgrade work in the federal capital has yet to begin.
The approved Rs1 billion allocation for the Nishtar Park Sports Complex is currently an estimated figure rather than a final budget. Authorities indicated that the total cost of the project could increase or decrease depending on the requirements identified during the renovation and modernization process. The infrastructure push forms part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to upgrade sports facilities and successfully host the 2027 SAF Games, one of the region’s premier multi-sport events.
