National Games will be held as per schedule - POA

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), in consultation with all the stakeholders, has confirmed that 34th National Games will be held as per schedule in Quetta. 

POA's president Arif Hassan chaired a high-profile meeting with officials and members of the general council today following the ongoing political chaos in the country. 

In the meeting, all the members and officials reviewed the current condition in the country. With the support of Balochistan government, it was decided that the games will go on as per schedule. 

According to the schedule, events in National Games will be started on May 12 in Quetta. The opening ceremony of the event will be held on May 22. 

All the preparations, under the supervision of Balochistan government, have been done to make the event successful.

The competitions will be held in 32 disciplines which include 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.

Exhibition matches will be held in canoeing and kayak, futsal, throwball and women cricket which has been included for the first time. Hockey competitions will be the first to begin on May 12 at the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Hockey Stadium, Quetta. The competitions in five sports disciplines will be held outside Balochistan due to lack of infrastructure and other issues.

Rowing will be hosted by Islamabad, sailing will be held in Karachi, Jhelum will host shooting, swimming and cycling will be conducted in Lahore. The torch journey has already begun from Karachi and after passing through various cities it will reach Quetta on May 14.