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Dear Media Friends,

During the course of successful 4th Inter Provincial Games, as there were apprehensions regarding the preparations for the conduct of the 33rd National Games at Quetta, Pakistan Olympic Association arranged consultations with all the stakeholders to once again evaluate and review these arrangements.  A meeting was convened by President POA to discuss the subject matter. The meeting was attended by the following:

•    POA Core Committee for the 33rd National Games Quetta
•    POA Sports Commission
•    Participating units of the 33rd National Games
•    Secretary Sports, Government of Balochistan
•    POA Venue Inspection Committee for 33rd National Games Quetta
•    Secretary General, Balochistan Olympic Association
•    Secretaries General of National Sports Federation (available at Peshawar)
•    Representative of Balochistan Sports Board

The arrangements were discussed in depth where the Secretary Sports of GOB informed the stakeholders that all requisites are still in the pipeline particularly regarding the completion of venues, procurement of equipments and security plan and hoped these would be completed in time.

The other stakeholders presented their viewpoints indicating following several deficiencies on account of inadequate arrangements:

i.    Despite repeated requests no meeting of either the Steering Committee or the Organizing Committee has been held. This is an important aspect without which the organization of the Games is not possible. This has resulted in a total lack of a unified approach in organising these Games.

ii.    Has not prepared any plan and did not coordinate with Balochistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Olympic Association regarding the security arrangements of the athletes and other participants to finalise the same. The Secretary Sports Balochistan informed the attendees that the only measure taken is that a request has been made to law enforcement agencies to provide the security.

iii.    The required sports gears/ equipment’s has not been procured yet rather the procurement has been shown in process and no timeline has been shared required to complete this process. Within this short time it is apprehended that the delivery of this equipment will not be possible.

iv.    Some of the Venues would not be ready in time.

v.    No coordination with the Federations and other Provincial bodies where some of the events are going to be held.

vi.    Lack of working relationship with Balochistan Olympic Association (BOA) that has undermined the Games particularly considering that all the procedure and regulations established by the POA regarding technical and procedural conduct of the Games has to be implemented by the BOA.

All these points were further discussed by the POA Sports Commission in a separate meeting held for the purpose. Based on the deliberations mentioned above and recommendations of the POA Sports Commission it has been decided by the POA that the National Games cannot be held on the schedule dates i.e. 21-29 April, 2018. The Fresh dates will be announced when all venues are ready and necessary sports gears/equipment’s have been procured and inspected by respective provincial associations. Thereafter at least three months advance notice will be given to all participating units.

Pakistan Olympic Association reiterates its commitment to hold 33rd National Games at Quetta and therefore urges both the Balochistan Olympic Association and Government of Balochistan to take necessary measures in shortest possible time to hold the Games in a befitting manner.

Best regards,

Muhammad Khalid Mahmood
Secretary General
Pakistan Olympic Association