ISLAMABAD – Pakistan would host South Asian Games next year, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday.
“Narowal Sports City must be prepared according to international standards before that,” said the federal minister while chairing a meeting held in the Sports city.
Vice Chancellor of University of Narowal, Professor Dr. Muhammad Younis, Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination Nadim Arshad Kiyani, DG Pakistan Sports Board and Additional Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination Zahoor Ahmed and other officials were also present there.
After handing over Narowal Sports City’s administrative and financial matters to University of Narowal from Pakistan Sports Board, a three-member committee comprising Vice Chancellor University of Narowal, Pakistan Sports Board, and Higher Education Commission representatives was formed to oversee the operations.
This committee would ensure swift completion of ongoing development projects in Sports City and ensure timely payments for these projects, so that Narowal Sports City could be opened for all sports at the earliest.
The Minister directed to expedite completion of renovation work in squash and badminton halls, basketball, cricket, football, and hockey grounds, and hostels in Sports City.
Furthermore, the instructions were given to complete all pending matters including construction of a kabaddi ground and electricity-related issues in Sports City.
“I will visit Narowal Sports City every week and personally monitor the performance of executing agencies,” said the minister.
Later, he also visited the Narowal Sports City and engaged with the media.
“It is our government’s vision to promote sports. Pakistan will host the South Asian Games next year, and before that, we want to organize National Games at the national level so that local athletes can have a preparation opportunity,” he added.
Narowal Sports City, which suffered delay, is now being prepared according to international standards. All sports coaches will be available throughout the year in Narowal Sports City so that the talented athletes could receive international standard training and raise Pakistan’s flag at the international level.
