In a key meeting, led by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar with the presence of other officials including Secretary Sports Jalaluddin Maher and Secretary Sindh Olympics Ahmed Ali Rajput, it was decided that the Sindh Government will host the National Games in late January or early February next year.
The minister has instructed the Department of Sports to form committees responsible for overseeing venues, transportation, management, and selection for the National Games. He also mentioned that he would discuss the grant needed for the event with the Chief Minister.
While the preparations for the 35th National Games in Karachi, Sindh are going at a snail’s pace, it has been suggested as well that some competitions be held at a few newly developed sports facilities in Karachi, which offer better amenities compared to the National Coaching Centre.
It has been said that the 27-year-old tartan track at the National Coaching Centre is weary and unkempt, so NED University, which has a newly installed track has been proposed as an alternate venue for the athletics events. NED University boasts excellent sports facilities, and it is also being considered as a venue for events like baseball, karate, and wrestling.
Furthermore, it has been mentioned that football matches will be held at KPT Football Stadium, volleyball at the KPT Sports Complex, and badminton and tug of war at Karachi University. Bodybuilding will be hosted at Bahria Auditorium in Karsaz, while archery and basketball will take place at Dow University. Boxing events will be staged at People’s Stadium and table tennis is scheduled for Islamia Club in Soldier Bazaar.
The Tennis event may take place at the courts in Naya Nazimabad, while kabaddi will be at the Sindh Sports Board in Nazimabad, The weightlifting competition will be conducted at KMC Sports Complex on Kashmir Road, and Taekwondo will be held at the Scout Headquarters in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.