POA unveils ambitious roadmap for Pakistan's sporting renaissance

POA unveils ambitious roadmap for Pakistan's sporting renaissance

Asher Butt

In a significant development for Pakistan's sports landscape, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Saeed has announced a comprehensive vision aimed at revitalizing the country's sporting culture and nurturing future champions.

During a press conference at Lahore's Olympic House on Tuesday, Saeed, flanked by Secretary Khalid Mahmood and other officials, revealed several landmark initiatives designed to transform Pakistan's sporting ecosystem.

Youth Games: Cultivating tomorrow's champions

At the forefront of these initiatives is Pakistan's inaugural Youth Games, scheduled for September in Lahore. The competition will target athletes aged 14 to 17, creating a vital platform to identify emerging talent.

"Our main goal is to perform excellently at the Youth Olympics," Saeed emphasized, explaining that standout performers from the Youth Games will represent Pakistan at the upcoming Youth Asian Games in Bahrain this October.

This systematic approach to talent development signals POA's commitment to building sustainable pathways from grassroots to international success, he added.

National Games return to Karachi after 18 years

The Sindh Olympic Association, which received hosting rights for the National Games after nearly two decades, has had to navigate unforeseen challenges. Saeed confirmed that the event, originally planned for earlier this year, has been postponed due to heatwave concerns and logistical issues.

"Our goal is to make the Karachi National Games memorable," he stated, revealing that early December is being considered as the new timeframe. Final dates are expected by mid-May following consultations with all stakeholders.

He further stated that this marks a significant return of the prestigious multi-sport event to Sindh after 18 years, with preparations underway to ensure its success despite the initial setbacks.

Revival of hockey and South Asian Games ambitions

In a nod to Pakistan's sporting heritage, Saeed announced focused efforts to revitalize hockey – the country's national sport. This initiative comes under the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has specifically tasked the POA with hockey's renaissance.

"We will develop comprehensive programs for hockey's betterment with support from all stakeholders," Saeed promised.

The POA President also expressed enthusiasm about Pakistan's potential to host future South Asian Games, pledging to organize an event that would "set a benchmark for excellence" in the region.

Government-POA partnership: Key to future success

Perhaps most significantly, Saeed emphasized the critical importance of alignment between government authorities and sporting bodies.

"Medals will come if both are on the same page," he stated pragmatically, acknowledging the essential partnership required for sporting excellence. "The government provides funds and facilities; our job is to promote Olympism."

Saeed reported that ongoing discussions with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and other officials have been progressing positively, suggesting a new era of cooperation may be dawning.

Building on Olympic success

Drawing inspiration from the achievements of athletes like Olympic javelin star Arshad Nadeem, who rose from humble beginnings to international acclaim, Saeed reaffirmed POA's commitment to identifying and nurturing similar talent across Pakistan.

As these ambitious plans unfold in the coming months, the sporting community will be watching closely to see if this renewed vision can indeed translate into a sustained revival of Pakistan's sporting fortunes on the global stage, believed Khalid Mahmood, POS secretary.