Pakistan is preparing to host the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games for the first time in 23 years, and arch-rival India has agreed to take part.
According to reports, Indian representatives attended a high-level meeting of the South Asian Olympic Association. During the session, India gave a positive response to Pakistan’s invitation to participate.
India has formally agreed in principle to send a contingent to the event, which Pakistan will host from April 4 to 11, 2027.
Pakistan Olympic Association Secretary General Khalid Mehmood confirmed the development. He said India had shown its support for participation during the high-level meeting of the South Asian Olympic Association.
Details of India’s contingent are expected to be shared in January 2027, closer to the event.
The Games will be held across Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar, with Islamabad hosting the opening ceremony. Pakistan last staged the event, then known as the SAF Games, in Islamabad in 2004.
Fifteen sports will be contested in Islamabad alone, including squash, tennis and various martial arts disciplines, as part of the wider multi-sport programme spread across the three host cities.
