The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has confirmed that the 34th National Games will be held in Quetta as per schedule. Despite the ongoing political chaos in the country, the POA‘s president Arif Hassan chaired a high-profile meeting with officials and members of the general council, and it was decided that the games will go on with the support of the Baluchistan government.
The National Games events will start on May 12, and the opening ceremony will be held on May 22. The Balochistan government has supervised all the preparations to ensure the success of the event.
This year’s National Games will feature 32 disciplines, including baseball, football, handball, hockey, kabaddi, rugby, softball, tug-of-war, volleyball, badminton, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, archery, athletics, basketball, bodybuilding, cycling, golf, judo, karate, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, rowing, sailing, shooting, and swimming.
Moreover, exhibition matches will be held in canoeing and kayak, futsal, throwball, and women’s cricket, which has been included for the first time. The hockey competitions will be the first to begin on May 12 at the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Hockey Stadium, Quetta.
However, due to the lack of infrastructure and other issues, competitions in five sports disciplines will be held outside Balochistan. Rowing will be hosted by Islamabad, sailing will be held in Karachi, Jhelum will host shooting, and swimming and cycling will be conducted in Lahore.
The torch journey has already begun from Karachi, and it will pass through various cities before reaching Quetta on May 14.
Hosting the National Games is a significant milestone for Pakistan, and it showcases the country’s commitment to promoting sports and providing opportunities for athletes to showcase their talents. This event will provide a platform for sports enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.
In conclusion, despite the ongoing political chaos in Pakistan, the 34th National Games will be held as per schedule in Quetta. With the support of the Balochistan government and the supervision of the POA, this event is expected to be a huge success, and it will provide an excellent opportunity for athletes to showcase their talents and promote sports in Pakistan.
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