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National Games of Pakistan

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National Games of Pakistan
قومی کھیل
StatusActive
GenreMulti-sport event
FrequencyBiennial
Location(s)Various
CountryPakistan
Years active1948–present
Established1948; 76 years ago (1948)
FounderQuaid-e-Azam
Previous event2023
Participants12,000
BudgetRs. 697 million (FY 2023–24)
Organised byPakistan Sports Board, Pakistan Olympic Association
Websitewww.sports.gov.pk

The National Games of Pakistan is a multi-sport event held in Pakistan. It comprises various disciplines in which sportsmen from the provinces and departments of Pakistan compete against each other. The games are organized by Pakistan Sports Board, Pakistan Olympic Association, and the host province.

Pakistan Army have dominated the Games throughout their history, having won 28 of the 34 official editions. Lahore has hosted the Games ten times, more than any other city.

History

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Before the Independence of Pakistan, the Indian chapter of the Olympic movement was founded in 1924. The founder was Hassan, the first Secretary of the Punjab Olympic Association. Lt. Col. H.L.O. Garrett, vice principal of Government College, Lahore, was the President of the founding body. At the same time, the Indian Olympic Games were organized in Delhi, Calcutta, and Lahore, the then capital of undivided Punjab.[1][2]

The Games were held every two years from 1924 as Indian Olympic Games and were renamed as National Games when they were first held in Bombay in 1940.

Post-independence

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After the independence of Pakistan, the first National Games were held at Polo Ground, Karachi from 23 to 25 April 1948. The games were organized by Ahmed E.H. Jaffar, the first President of the Pakistan Olympic Association.

Sportsmen and officials from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and all the integrated Provincial units of West Pakistan took part in these Games. The total number of athletes was 140. No competitors were, however, invited from any foreign country. Competitions were held in track and field, basketball, boxing, cycling, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling. The overall championship was won by the Punjab contingent.[3]

The Quaid-i-Azam Trophy

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The inaugural edition of the National Games was opened by the founder and Governor-General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He donated a "Challenge Shield" from his private funds. The trophy is now named as the "Quaid-i-Azam Trophy", and is awarded to the winning team in every edition.[4][5][6]

Organization

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The National Games are required to be held once in two years leaving those years in which the Olympic Games and Asian Games are scheduled to be held, depending upon the situation in country. The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) can allow relaxation from the general rule only in exceptional cases or natural calamity. The duration and the regulation of the National Games is entirely within the jurisdiction of POA.

The games are jointly organized by the Pakistan Sports Board, the Pakistan Olympic Association, and the provincial government of the host city.

Editions

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Contingents from Pakistan Army have dominated the Games, having won 28 of the 34 official editions.
Lahore has hosted the Games ten times, more than any other city.
Venues and winners of the National Games of Pakistan[3]
Number Year Venue Winner
I 1948 Karachi (1) Punjab
II 1950 Lahore (1) Services
III 1952 Lahore (2) Services
IV 1954 Sahiwal (1) No trophy was awarded
V 1955 Dhaka (1) Services
VI 1956 Lahore (3) Pakistan Army
VII 1958 Peshawar (1) Pakistan Army
VIII 1960 Dhaka (2) Pakistan Army
IX 1962 Lahore (4) Pakistan Army
X 1964 Dhaka (3) Pakistan Army
XI 1966 Lahore (5) Pakistan Railways
XII 1968 Dhaka (4) Pakistan Army
XIII 1970 Karachi (2) Pakistan Army
XIV 1972 Lahore (6) Pakistan Army
XV 1974 Peshawar (2) Pakistan Army
XVI 1976 Karachi (3) Pakistan Army
XVII 1978 Lahore (7) Pakistan Army
XVIII 1980 Karachi (4) Pakistan Army
XIX 1982 Peshawar (3) Pakistan Army
XX 1984 Faisalabad (1) Pakistan Army
XXI 1986 Quetta (1) Pakistan Army
XXII 1988 Karachi (5) Pakistan Army
XXIII 1990 Peshawar (4) Pakistan Army
XXIV 1992 Lahore (8) Pakistan Army
XXV 1995 Quetta (2) Pakistan Army
XXVI 1996 Karachi (6) Pakistan Army
XXVII 1998 Peshawar (5) Pakistan Army
XXVIII 2001 Lahore (9) Pakistan Army
XXIX 2004 Quetta (3) Pakistan Army
XXX 2007 Karachi (7) Pakistan Army
XXXI 2010 Peshawar (6) Pakistan Army
XXXII 2012 Lahore (10) WAPDA[4]
XXXII 2013 Islamabad (1) Pakistan Army
XXXIII 2019 Peshawar (7) Pakistan Army
XXXIV 2023 Quetta (4) Pakistan Army

Sports

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In the 34th edition of the National Games, held in Quetta in 2023, over 6,000 athletes participated in 32 different sports encompassing 57 events.[7][8][9]

Four exhibition events – futsal, canoeing and kayaking, throwball, and women's cricket – were also part of the 2023 edition.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Katyal, Arvind (1 August 2001). "Decision on National Games on Aug 2". Tribune India. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  2. ^ "Punjab the Spirit of Sports". Tribune India. 18 November 2001.
  3. ^ a b "Pakistan Sports Board, Islamabad". Pakistan Sports Board. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b Raheel, Natasha (28 December 2012). "32nd National Games: WAPDA lift maiden title with 190 gold medals". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Army win 33rd National Games Quaid-e-Azam trophy, KP take fair-play title". Business Recorder. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  6. ^ Lakhani, Faizan (30 May 2023). "National Games Medal Table: Army clinch top spot with 199 gold". Geo Super. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b Safi, Alam Zeb (9 May 2023). "Balochistan govt's preparations for National Games in full swing". Geo News. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  8. ^ "'Quetta to host National Games from May 5'". Dawn. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Disciplines for 34th National Games announced". The News International. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
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