The South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) Executive Committee will meet in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss preparations for the 14th South Asian Games, which Pakistan is scheduled to host early next year.
Delegates from across the region have begun arriving in the Pakistani capital ahead of the meeting, which is expected to focus on preparations for the biennial multi-sport event.
“Some have arrived and some will land soon,” a senior Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) official said.
The POA said representatives from the region were gathering in Islamabad as preparations continued for Pakistan’s hosting of the Games.
“Today, we are honored to welcome Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President, Chaturananda Raj Vaidya, Vice-President and Sikka Suwal Shrestha, Member of National Sports Council, NOC Nepal, to Pakistan,” the POA said in a statement.
The officials’ arrival marked another step towards the staging of the Games, the association said, describing the event as an opportunity to bring the region together through sport.
India’s representative will participate in the executive committee meeting via video conference, a POA official said.
The visiting delegates are also expected to inspect sports venues in Islamabad as part of their visit, although venues in Lahore will not be included in the inspection programme.
“No, they will not visit there,” the official said when asked whether the delegates would travel to Lahore.
Pakistan plans to stage the Games mainly in Islamabad and Lahore, with Lahore serving as the Games Secretariat and hosting the majority of the competitions.
The event will mark the third time Pakistan will host the South Asian Games. The country previously staged the regional sporting competition in Islamabad in 1989 and again in 2004.
Faisalabad will also join the host cities for the upcoming edition, with the Punjab city scheduled to host the handball competition.
The South Asian Games bring together athletes from countries across the region in a multi-sport competition held every two years. Pakistan’s preparations come as organisers work to finalise venues and other arrangements ahead of the event.
The Islamabad meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for representatives of the participating countries to review the preparations and discuss outstanding issues before the Games.
