2027 South Asian Games

2027 South Asian Games
Host city
CountryPakistan
OrganizerSouth Asia Olympic Council
Nations7
Athletes4,200 athletes
Events28 sports with 8 sports debut (38 sports)
Opening3 April 2027
Closing11 April 2027
Opened byAsif Ali Zardari
Torch lighterTBA
Main venue
WebsiteTBA

The 2027 South Asian Games, officially the XIV South Asian Games, is a multi-sport event that will be held in Pakistan. Islamabad will be the main host city, along with Lahore and Peshawar. Originally slated for March 2023, the Games were postponed to March 2024 and January 2026, before being rescheduled for 3 to 11 April 2027.[1][2]

This will mark the third time that Pakistan has hosted the South Asian Games following the 1989 and 2004 editions, and the first time outside of Islamabad.

Host selection

In 2019, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports announced that Sri Lanka had bid in a partnership with the Maldives. However, Pakistan was announced as host by the South Asian Olympic Council in December 2019.[3][4] On 10 December, POA President Arif Hassan received the games flag.[5]

Background

Venues and infrastructure

It was reported that the Government of Pakistan designated around Rs 2 billion for infrastructure.[6] In July 2020, it was announced that the federal government had set forth more than Rs 3.5 billion for the South Asian Games.[7]

The Pakistan Olympic Association wanted to base the games in Lahore, while Gujranwala was being considered for weightlifting and wrestling competitions while Sialkot and Narowal for volleyball.[8][9] Faisalabad was under consideration for handball while along with it, Gojra was under consideration for field hockey.[8] Kasur was also one of the proposed venues.[8] It was also reported that the POA intended to organise the football competition in Karachi, Sindh.[8] In May 2020, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed hosting events at a gymnasium, despite not being a host city.[10] Syed Aqil Shah, President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association requested that the POA should include Peshawar as one of the host cities for the Games.[11]

On 11 January 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a go-ahead signal to the Pakistan Olympic Association and the Federal Sports Ministry to host the Games.[12] On 15 January 2021, POA President Syed Arif Hasan further said that the venues have almost been finalised and in the next meeting with the federal sports minister on 18 January in Islamabad, several other key decisions would be taken with respect to holding the Games.[13]

On 12 July 2021, it was confirmed that some events will be shared between Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Islamabad and Sialkot.[14] On 11 February 2022, it was announced that the government wanted the opening ceremony and closing ceremonies in Islamabad and Lahore, respectively, and for football competitions to be held in Lahore.[15] Some sources also stated Karachi as sub host city.[16] On 13 February 2022, the government announced plans to hold the event by March 2023 in Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad.[17]

The Games were postponed to March 2024,[18] and later January 2026,[19] before being rescheduled for March 2027.[20][21][16][22][23][24] In July 2026, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi publicly complained about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being excluded from the 2027 South Asian Games.[25][26] On 23 August 2026, the dates were moved to 3 to 11 April 2027, with Peshawar replacing Faisalabad as one of the host cities.[1][2]

The Games

Participating nations

Seven countries are expected to compete.

  •  Bangladesh
  •  Bhutan
  •  India
  •  Maldives
  •  Nepal
  •  Pakistan (H)
  •  Sri Lanka

Sports

Debuting sports include diving, water polo, chess, esports, lacrosse, gymnastics, cycling, equestrian, baseball and Cue sports.[27]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Baig, Zulfiqar (23 August 2026). "South Asian Games dates finalized". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 isbpostadmin (23 August 2026). "Pakistan set to host South Asian Games in April 2027". Islamabad Post. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Ranasinghe, Dinushki (14 November 2019). "Sri Lanka bid to bring back SAG after 15 years". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "Pakistan To Host 14th SA Games". GoalNepal. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "14th South Asian Games to be held in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Islamabad in March 2023". Daily Times. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "Hosting the South Asian Games | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "POA wants 2022 SAG in Lahore and Faisalabad". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "2021 SOUTH ASIAN GAMES: POA wants to hold major events in Punjab". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "OCA » Pakistan to use four cities to host 2021 South Asian Games". ocasia.org. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Gymnasium in Mardan can host South Asian Games events: Aqil". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "14th South Asian Games: Aqil wants Peshawar as one of host cities". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Pakistan to host South Asian Games after 16 years". Daily Pakistan Global. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Yaqoob, Mohammad (15 January 2021). "Pakistan to host 2023 SAF Games after prime minister's approval: POA". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "Pakistan Olympic Association". www.nocpakistan.org. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "Difficult to conduct SAG by March 2023, says POA chief". www.thenews.com.pk.
  16. 1 2 "Pakistan's hosting rights for 14th South Asian Games upheld". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Imperfect preparations | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  18. ↑ Yaqoob, Mohammad (20 July 2022). "South Asian Games set to be moved to 2024". Dawn. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  19. ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (26 February 2025). "Pakistan to host delayed South Asian Games next year". Dawn. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "Pakistan to host South Asian Games in March next year". Dawn. 28 January 2026.
  21. ↑ Rizwan (28 January 2026). "Pakistan to host 14th South Asian Games in March 2027". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Alam, Sher (4 July 2026). "PM Shehbaz Approves Rs. 11 Billion as Pakistan Hosts South Asian Games After 22 Years". ProPakistani. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Bashir, Mahtab. "Pakistan To Host South Asian Games After 22 Years". WE News English. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Pakistan Ready to Host the 14th South Asian Games". The Kabul times, Afghanistan Trustable News Agency. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Governor deplores KP's exclusion from South Asian Games 2027". 31 July 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Kundi regrets reported KP exclusion from hosting South Asian Games 2027". The Nation. 1 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Online, T. H. T. (23 August 2026). "14th South Asian Games set for April 3–11 in Pakistan". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
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