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 29 of the 35 official editions. Lahore has hosted the Games ten times, more than any other city.
History 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.
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 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.
The Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 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.
Organization 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
+Venues and winners of the National Games of Pakistan 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/Islamabad (6) Pakistan Army XXXII 2012 Lahore (10) WAPDA XXXII 2013 Islamabad (1) Pakistan Army XXXIII 2019 Peshawar (7) Pakistan ArmyXXXIV2023Quetta (4)Pakistan ArmyXXXV2025Karachi (8)Pakistan Army
Sports 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.
Four exhibition events – futsal, canoeing and kayaking, throwball, and women's cricket – were also part of the 2023 edition.
See also Quaid-e-Azam Inter Provincial Youth Games
References
External links Official website Pakistan Sports Board website