Pakistan’s 54-member strong contingent to feature in 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh
Pakistan’s 54-member strong contingent to feature in 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh
Riyadh : By Nawaz Gohar ; The 6th edition of the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (Riyadh 2025) is scheduled to take place from 7 to 21 November 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Games will be hosted across multiple venues in the city, under the slogan “One Nation”, and represent a major multi-sport event organised by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA).
According to official data, 57 countries are expected to participate, bringing around 3,065 athletes competing in 270 events across 21 sports. The sports programme includes athletics, boxing, 3×3 basketball, camel racing, weightlifting, wushu, judo, karate and more.
The Islamic Solidarity Games – first held in 2005 in Saudi Arabia – serve to foster sporting ties among the member nations of the ISSA and promote unity, cultural exchange and athletic development among Muslim-majority countries. Riyadh 2025 marks the sixth edition of the Games, following the 2017 Baku and 2021 (Konya) editions.
Pakistan will be represented by a delegation of 54 competitors — 34 men and 20 women — across 10 sports including athletics (3), boxing (4), fencing (6), ju-jitsu (3), karate (5), swimming (8), table tennis (5), taekwondo (10), wrestling (4) and wushu (6).
Despite financial and sponsorship concerns that threatened participation for some Pakistani federations, the country remains committed to sending its athletes to Riyadh. The delegation will aim both to gain international competitive exposure and to enhance Pakistan’s medal prospects at this continental-Islamic multi-sport gathering.
The underlying purpose of the Islamic Solidarity Games is threefold: to strengthen bonds among participating nations through sport, to provide a culturally-relevant platform for athletes from ISSA member countries, and to develop sporting infrastructure and talent across the Islamic world. For Pakistan, the Games offer an opportunity not just for medals but for raising the standard of sport, providing athletes a higher-level arena, and integrating with a broader sporting and cultural network.
As Riyadh prepares to welcome athletes and delegations from across the Islamic world, the 6th edition promises to be a landmark event: world-class venues, a modern athletes’ village, and high organisational standards reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global sport.
With 57 nations, hundreds of events and a clear agenda of solidarity and excellence, Riyadh 2025 is poised to deliver a memorable Games. For Pakistan’s 54-strong team, the challenge and opportunity is significant — and if they perform to their potential, they can add a new chapter to the country’s sporting story.
