Pakistan Likely to Lose Hosting Rights of South Asian Games 2024, Bangladesh Emerge As Favourites to Stage Multi-Sports Event: Report
Pakistan have recently struggled to host several sporting events due to the political situation in their country. Even the ongoing Cricket event Asia Cup 2023 has also been shifted to a co-host Sri Lanka and being hosted in a hybrid model. Amidst this report suggests that the South Asian Games are likely to be shifted to Bangladesh over lack of preparations.
After hosting it in 1989 and 2004, Pakistan are all set to host the upcoming South Asian Games 2024. It was originally set to be hosted on March 2023 but later postponed to March 2024 by the South Asian Olympic Committee (SAOC). The 14th South Asian Games will be hosted in the cities of Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Islamabad and Sialkot, who will give support to Lahore hosting some sports. Pakistan have recently struggled to host several sporting events due to the political situation in their country. Even the ongoing Cricket event Asia Cup 2023 has also been shifted to a co-host Sri Lanka and being hosted in a hybrid model. Amidst this report suggests that the South Asian Games are likely to be shifted to Bangladesh over lack of preparations. FIH Withdraws Olympics Qualifiers Hosting Rights From Pakistan Amidst Conflict Between Country’s Hockey Federation and Sports Board.
As reported by 'The News', Pakistan's sports authorities continue to show a lack of seriousness in preparing for the South Asian Games. Though Sri Lanka is seen as a back-up venue for the Games, the economic situation there could force the SAOC to award the hosting right to Bangladesh. Bangladesh have pounced on the opportunity, expressing their eagerness by already informing SAOC that they are completely prepared to host the multi-sport event despite the lack of time and short notice.
According to sources of The News, bureaucratic problems along with lack of sufficient funds and poor coordination between several sports bodies have pulled behind the preparations for the games. Political uncertainty and economic upheavals in the country have only made things worse. Initially there was also a disagreement between the PSB (Pakistan Sports Board) and the POA (Pakistan Olympic Association) over the venues of the games. While the PSB wanted Islamabad to be the sole hosts, POA wanted various cities of Punjab to co-host the games alongside Lahore. Later it was mutually agreed to stage the Games primarily in Lahore along with Islamabad, Faisalabad and Sialkot. Bollywood Star Aamir Khan Shares Message for Indian Contingent Ahead of Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou (Watch Video).
"If this lack of interest persists then Pakistan could soon be asked to give up the hosting rights to the South Asian Games," a source told 'The News'.Such a development would be a big setback for Pakistan sports, already going through a tough period. Though prospects look grim, a senior sports official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told 'The News' that there is still some time for the authorities to put things on track.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2023 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).