Pakistan to Host South Asian Games in April 2027

Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan will host the South Asian Games from April 3 to 11, 2027, marking the country’s return as host of the regional multi-sport event 23 years after it last staged the Games in Islamabad in 2004. The decision was finalised at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the South Asia Olympic Council, chaired by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) president Arif Saeed, who also heads the South Asian Olympic Committee.

The meeting reviewed ongoing preparations for the Games and confirmed three host cities for the event, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. Representatives from Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the session in person, while India took part through video link. All participating delegations endorsed the proposed dates, reflecting a shared commitment among South Asian Olympic bodies to move the Games forward after years of delay.

Building on this consensus, a visiting delegation is scheduled to inspect proposed sporting venues in Islamabad, part of a broader assessment of the host cities’ readiness ahead of the event. The Games will bring together 28 sports and 346 medal events, with more than 3,200 athletes expected to compete across the three venues. Pakistan is preparing to accommodate approximately 4,000 athletes, technical officials and other foreign visitors during the tournament.

The federal government has approved the POA’s plans to hold the Games and confirmed that the necessary funding will be released to support preparations.

According to a senior government official, the federal government is treating the Games as one of several major international engagements scheduled for Islamabad next year, alongside a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference and a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The official added that the POA, the Foreign Office and the federal government are jointly monitoring preparations to ensure the successful hosting of all three events.

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In line with these preparations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has begun arranging accommodation and related facilities for foreign visitors expected to arrive in Islamabad next year for the Games and the other scheduled international events. Officials say coordination across government departments remains a priority as the timeline for the Games approaches.

Questions remain, however, over India’s participation. While India’s representative joined Sunday’s meeting via video link and endorsed the proposed dates, officials say this does not yet confirm New Delhi’s presence at the Games.

One source pointed to India’s pattern of avoiding sporting events hosted in Pakistan, including its recent absence from a volleyball tournament, as a factor that could still affect its final decision.

Pakistan’s hosting of the 2027 Games follows years of postponement after the country was originally scheduled to stage the event in 2021. With preparations now said to be in their final stages, the coming months will be closely watched as Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar move toward hosting South Asia’s largest regional sporting event since 2019.