The 14th South Asian Games will be held from January 23-31, 2026 in three cities in Pakistan – Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad.
This decision was taken by the executive committee of the South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) which met on Tuesday in Lahore.
The meeting, chaired by the president of the Pakistan Olympic Association, Arif Saeed, reinforced the collective commitment of South Asian NOCs to foster regional sports development and strengthen cooperation through sports.
The meeting was attended by NOC representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Expectedly, the Indian Olympic Association did not send any IOC official to attend. However, IOC “representative” Nazima Khan joined remotely.
Per an official release, Khan “assured” the SAOC executive committee that the IOA would send athletes to the Games.
A total of 27 sports were also approved at the meeting. They are: athletics, archery, aquatics, badminton, basketball (3×3, 5×5), billiards and snooker, boxing, cricket, football, fencing, golf, handball and beach handball, judo, kabaddi, karate, rugby, shooting, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and beach volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, and rowing.
Rowing was proposed by the host nation and will only be included once it receives endorsement from at least four other NOCs.
Saeed, who is also SAOC president, expressed his deep appreciation for the participation and commitment of all South Asian NOCs.
With preparations now fully underway, SAOC looks forward to hosting a memorable and impactful edition of the South Asian Games in January 2026, bringing athletes and nations together in the true spirit of sportsmanship and regional unity.
