PSB to conduct Quaid-i-Azam Games before South Asian Games - Reports
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has finalized its plan to conduct the Quaid-i-Azam Games before the 14th South Asian Games, which is likely to be held in the first half of 2025. The government has approved a budget of Rs 697 million for the Quaid-i-Azam Games. The event, which had been an annual tradition in years past, is being brought back after a long absence.
A report from Pakistani outlet The News claims that the Quaid Games would be organized three months before the South Asian Games, which Pakistan will host. The move is timed strategically in a bid to increase national sports participation and talent development ahead of the regional Games. The National Games have been allotted to the Sindh Olympics Association.
Notably, the Quaid-i-Azam Games, the annual second biggest national sports event, this time, will be organized by only the federal government. Originally, the National Games were being planned to be replaced by the Quaid-i-Azam Games. Because the National Games fall under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Olympic Committee and have been granted to Sindh, PSB picked Quaid Games.
This is in line with the PSB's broader aim to improve sports infrastructure and training facilities for promoting grassroots sports development back home. Apart from Quaid Games, the government will build 250 mini-sports complexes nationwide under a mega scheme.
There are also plans to turn these mega schemes into mini academies as part of the larger grassroots development. Significant funds are proposed for 15 ongoing projects.
Revival of Quaid-i-Azam Games bring luck - PSB aims to develop state-of-the-art facilities at Lahore and Islamabad Centres
Other projects that appeared in the final list included installing an electronic scoreboard at Lahore and Islamabad centers, a swimming pool at the National Coaching Centre, Karachi, and the replacement/repair of synthetic hockey turf centers across various cities.
The initiatives signal the government's dedication to growing national sports facilities among both participants and spectators. Revival of the Quaid-e-Azam Games is an essential element among measures being taken to revolutionize Pakistan's sports industry and nurture it for forthcoming international challenges.