National Games Postponed: Mismanagement, Negligence, or Strategic Delay?

 

The 34th National Games, scheduled to be held in Karachi from May 1 to May 9, 2025, have once again become a victim of controversy and confusion. On April 17, the Sindh Olympic Association issued a notice on its official letterhead via social media, announcing that the Games were being postponed due to "unavoidable circumstances."

What followed was silence from the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Government of Sindh—no official stance, no clarification, just ambiguity.

Later, another letter surfaced on social media addressed to POA Secretary Khalid Mehmood, claiming extreme heat in Karachi and ongoing student examinations as the reasons for postponement.

It’s fair to ask: when the decision to host the Games in May was taken—after an earlier announcement in February—was the organizing committee unaware of Karachi’s weather or the academic calendar? If these were known variables, why were they ignored? Announcing a postponement just 10 days before the event reflects poor planning and serious administrative negligence.

Many are questioning whether the real reason behind the postponement is less about exams or weather and more about medal strategy. Swimming offers the highest medal count—32 medals in total—and athletes from Punjab and Sindh are historically dominant in this sport. It’s being said that with many of their swimmers currently sitting for O- and A-Level exams, postponing the Games helps safeguard their medal haul. Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, swimming trials weren’t even conducted, raising further doubts about transparency and fairness.

Across the country, various departments and regional sports boards—including those in KP, Balochistan, Punjab, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan—have already incurred heavy expenditures. KP alone has spent over 30 million rupees on trials and training camps. Equipment, kits, and shoes have been purchased. The Directorate of Sports KP, already battling financial constraints, now faces uncertainty.

Associations are confused: Should they continue camps or halt them? If trials and camps are restarted later, it will cost millions more—an outright waste of public tax money.

Athletes in sports like weightlifting and bodybuilding have spent months in preparation, investing heavily in diet, training, and equipment—often from their own pockets. Now, with the Games delayed indefinitely, their effort and money are at risk. Who will be held accountable for their losses? Will they have to prepare all over again?

It's time the federal and provincial governments take serious notice. If the Olympic system is being run by incompetent hands, it’s time to restructure. Let competent bureaucrats or professionals take charge—people who understand planning, fairness, and responsibility.

The National Games are not just an event—they are a symbol of athletic dreams and dedication. Mishandling them undermines national pride and damages the already fragile sports infrastructure in Pakistan.

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