PRESS RELEASE: SOUTH ASIA OLYMPIC COUNCIL FINALIZES KEY DECISIONS FOR 14TH SOUTH ASIAN GAMES 2026

Lahore, 25th February 2025 – The Executive Committee of the South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) concluded a highly productive meeting today at Lahore, marking significant progress in preparations for the 14th South Asian Games, which will be held from 23rd to 31st January 2026 in Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad.

 

Chaired by Mr. Arif Saeed, President SAOC and National Olympic Committee (NOC) Pakistan, the meeting reinforced the collective commitment of South Asian NOCs to fostering regional sports development and strengthening cooperation through sports. The discussions highlighted how the region’s athletes, Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra, brought South Asia into the global spotlight at Paris 2024 by winning medals in javelin throw — an achievement that not only inspired the youth of the subcontinent but also underscored the power of sports in promoting peace, unity, and shared aspirations across borders.

 

The meeting was attended by representatives from NOCs Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan:

• NOC Bangladesh: Mr. Ashiqur Rahman Miku and Mr. Siraj Uddin Md Alamgir

• NOC Bhutan: Mr. Nim Dorji

• NOC India: Ms. Nazima Khan (joined remotely)

• NOC Maldives: Mr. Thamooh Ahmed Saeed and Mr. Ahmed Munthaqim

• NOC Nepal: Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha

• NOC Sri Lanka: Mr. Suresh Subramaniam, Mr. Edirimuni Niluka Rushan Perera Karunaratne and Mr. Ilanga Pathiratnalage Wijeratne

• NOC Pakistan: Mr. Arif Saeed, Ms. Fatima Lakhani and Mr. Muhammad Khalid Mahmood

 

On the special request of Mr. Arif Saeed, President NOC Pakistan, Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Sports (Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination Division) also attended and met the delegates.

 

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

Finalized Games Schedule – The 14th South Asian Games will take place from 23rd to 31st  January 2026, with events set to be hosted across Lahore, Faisalabad, and Islamabad.

 

Approval of Sports Program – 27 Sports were already agreed upon by the South Asian NOCs as per the rules of South Asia Olympic Council by circulation. The final list of sports approved and decided in the meeting is listed in next item. It was also decided events for each sports will also be decided before 31st March 2025 and the Technical Handbooks will be prepared and released subject to approval of the Asian Federations concerned.

 

Formation of SAOC Constitution Review Committee – A committee has been established to review and update the SAOC Constitution, aligning it with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Constitution.

 

It was also agreed that to benefit from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), SAOC Secretariat will invite an OCA representative to all future SAOC meetings.

 

Approved Sports for the 14th South Asian Games

The following sports have been confirmed for inclusion in the 14th South Asian Games:

Aquatics – Swimming (Men & Women), Archery (Men & Women), Athletics (Men & Women), Badminton (Men & Women), Billiards & Snooker (Men), Boxing (Men & Women), Fencing (Men & Women), Golf (Men & Women), Judo (Men & Women), Karate (Men & Women), Shooting (Men & Women), Squash (Men & Women), Table Tennis (Men & Women), Taekwondo (Men & Women), Tennis (Men & Women), Triathlon (Men & Women), Weightlifting (Men & Women), Wrestling (Men & Women), Wushu (Men & Women), Basketball 3x3 and 5x5 (Men & Women), Cricket (Men & Women), Football (Men & Women), Handball (Men & Women) and Beach Handball (Men), Hockey (Men), Mat Kabaddi (Men & Women), Rugby (Men), Volleyball (Men & Women) & Beach Volleyball (Men), and Rowing. Rowing, proposed as second optional sport by the host NOC, will be included once it receives endorsement from at least four NOCs as an additional sport to already approved program.

 

In his remarks, President SAOC, Mr. Arif Saeed, expressed his deep appreciation for the participation and commitment of all South Asian NOCs. Throughout the meeting, solidarity, cooperation, and the shared vision of strengthening sports in South Asia remained at the core of discussions. He extended a special thanks to Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Sports (Ministry of IPC Division), for his instrumental role in supporting the preparations for the Games.

 

He further commended the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, for his strong leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring the successful hosting of the Games. His support has been pivotal in accelerating preparations and reinforcing Pakistan’s dedication to delivering a world-class sporting event.

 

With preparations now fully underway, SAOC looks forward to hosting a memorable and impactful edition of the South Asian Games in 2026, bringing athletes and nations together in the true spirit of sportsmanship and regional unity.

 

Thank you for your attention. 

 

Muhammad Khalid Mahmood

Secretary General | South Asia Olympic Council / NOC Pakistan