KARACHI: City Administrator Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rahman on Wednesday announced that Karachi Games 2023 would begin on March 3.

Speaking at a press briefing after the inauguration of the Secretariat of Karachi Games 2023 at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Sports Complex, he said that over 5,000 men and women would participate in record 42 different indoor and outdoor games in the event. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

“These games are being organised at the urban level on an inter-district basis to promote healthy activities in the city so that the maximum number of players can get the opportunity to participate in these games,” he said.

Sports included in Karachi Games are cricket, hockey, football, basketball, shooting ball, volleyball, softball, netball, dodgeball, karate, taekwondo, judo, badminton, table tennis, snooker, boxing, squash, chess, rowing, carom, bodybuilding, swimming, roller-skating, Sepak Takrah, futsal, tug of war, gymnastics, wrestling, shooting, scrabble, tennis, cycle race, donkey cart race, arm wrestling, mass wrestling, weightlifting, and marathon race.

Apart from field and track, the traditional cultural sports of the province, malakhra, kabaddi and Khokhu are also included in these games.

Over 5,000 will participate in 42 games at 10-day events

The administrator said that to carry out the administrative and technical affairs, the Karachi Games Secretariat had been established in the KMC Sports Complex. “Various sports associations and other related persons will be in touch with the secretariat, and all matters of the games will be done here,” he added.

He said that the unique sports festival in the city would continue for about 10 days, during which fans of various sports would get to see high-quality matches between the best teams and players in every field.

Dr Saif said that the athletes would utilise the facilities provided at KMC Sports Complex, Kashmir Road and Women Sports Complex Gulshan-i-Iqbal for most of the sports.

He said cricket matches will be held at Nazimabad Gymkhana, Eastern Star Ground, TMC Ground, Gulbarg Gymkhana, Shadab Ground, Orangi, Landhi Gymkhana, KP Ground.

He said that hockey competition would be held at KHA Hockey Stadium and Islahuddin Hockey Stadium, while football tournament would be held at KMC Football Stadium, Trans Lyari Football Ground, Skiston Star Football Ground, Ibrahim Hydari Football Ground.

The administrator said that the basketball competition would be held at Aram Bagh Court and table tennis competition at Sindh Sports Board Complex Nazimabad, while boxing competition would be held at People’s Sports Complex.

Published in Dawn, February 23th, 2023